News of a reportedly positive meeting between representatives of the unions NAPB (police), ABVO (civil servants), a member of the National Detectives and an official of the Justice Ministry on the much-discussed function books is most welcome (see related story). It was held a day after the court in Philipsburg ruled that law enforcement personnel protest actions last week could not hamper justice operations but also criticised government for confronting police in this “unfortunate” way because there had been no evidence of any misbehaviour among demonstrators.
Mind you, the long-awaited regulation of their legal position is not the only complaint, but even the judge recognised how frustrating waiting so long for something that essential must be. It now at least appears the issue may soon finally be resolved to the satisfaction of parties involved.
As far as the six per cent vacation allowance is concerned, one should not forget that most private sector workers were forced to accept a 20 per cent reduction in salary and/or hours already more than a year so their employer could collect payroll support to compensate for revenue loss and keep the business open. Ultimately, all those companies and people provide the taxes and social premiums funding the entire public sector.
And no matter how you look at it, we are all in the same boat.
