The Central Committee of Parliament this afternoon will continue its meeting with Finance Minister Ardwell Irion on basic points of the coronavirus-related stimulus package. While the legislative gathering will be virtual as was the case with the most recent one about the sale of United Telecommunication Services (UTS), persons won’t be able to follow today’s proceedings.
It was announced that the session is “behind closed doors,” which in this case means not broadcast live. No reason has been given, but perhaps this will allow government to discuss certain proposals not quite finalised yet, also to prevent creating false expectations.
Then again, the population could use some reassurance especially regarding the far-reaching socioeconomic consequences of the current pandemic. The draft plan includes a payroll supplement of between 750 and 1,350 Netherlands Antillean guilders for employees at risk of being laid off.
Although no doubt appreciated, that’s a far cry from what St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA), St. Maarten Timeshare Association (SMTA), Indian Merchants Association (IMA) and St. Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA) have called for (see Friday paper) with support of Workers Institute for Organised Labour (WIFOL). The business associations represent more than 70 per cent of the employed workforce and the union has some 3,000 active members.
They are asking for a general 90 per cent salary subsidy of six months. Their emphasis is on preventing dismissals rather than focussing on those who might already be at risk of losing their jobs. For most employers it’s probably not crystal-clear how many and what staff they would have to let go without help, but in many cases it’s probably the majority.
An across-the-board approach was also applied in the Netherlands, including Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba. Companies there that lose 20 per cent of turnover will get 80 per cent of their personnel cost compensated for three months, with the possibility of an extension for the same period.
One can’t help but feel somewhat of a disconnect between the private and public sectors on this crucial matter. That is not a desirable scenario especially during a time of unprecedented crisis.
Therein lies an important task for newly-sworn-in Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Ludmila de Weever. She will need to get all noses pointed in the same direction.
