Finance Minister Ardwell Irion in government’s most recent press briefing provided a much-appreciated explanation on why St. Maarten, according to Dutch State Secretary of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops, has not yet fully met requirements for the second tranche of coronavirus-related liquidity loans from the Netherlands. The corresponding funds, apart from a deduction for making changes to the payroll support programme later than intended, have already been received.
But the problem is that no negotiations on a third tranche of assistance can even start before completing the existing process. That remains a major concern because it is obvious that without additional financial help the country will experience a severe worsening of its existing socioeconomic crisis.
There seems to be a fundamental difference with the Committee for Financial Supervision CFT on how the 12.5 per cent reduction in public sector employment conditions was realised. Several secondary benefits cuts apparently stemmed from previous instructions by the Kingdom Council of Ministers.
That may be, but they are now at least being implemented. Important is to bring the cost of the civil service down and this was done.
CFT members, particularly the chairman and representative of the Netherlands, should also understand that sustainable solutions must be achievable on the ground. Considering the opposition of local unions to the current austerity measures one is left in serious doubt whether they will accept any more.
As the island experiences its second COVID-19 surge, the last thing needed at this time is new unrest among government personnel who include essential workers. Law enforcement and emergency agencies such as Immigration, Customs, the fire brigade, and police have all been confronted with positive cases, putting further pressure on their human resources that are scarce as it is. And, let’s face it, the mixed signals sent by The Hague regarding an exception for so-called “front-liners” did not exactly contribute to the situation either.
As things stand, parties are to keep talking until a feasible agreement can be reached. After all, the final goal of everyone involved should ultimately be success rather than failure.
