The immigration raids conducted in Maho (see related story) targeted the use of undocumented Venezuelan construction workers. For some time now there had been indications of cheap, unregulated labour being recruited from the troubled South American country for projects in that area.
Two were arrested on Tuesday, but the question remains what happens to those who hired them. The maximum monetary penalty for such is NAf. 10,000, but the businesses involved are rarely brought to trial or fined.
That is regrettable, because, as the Prosecutor’s Office stated, it’s not just a matter of protecting local employees. Undocumented persons are often exploited and victims of human trafficking.
The latter is a serious crime, so also going after those committing it makes all the sense in the world. The fact that these are usually so-called subcontractors doesn’t protect the main clients, as there is a thing called “chain responsibility” anchored in the law.
Moreover, government introduced a special simplified fast-track procedure to get employment permits for groups brought in from abroad to help rebuild post-Irma. The same Maho Group successfully made use of that for a small army of Chinese labourers to come to St. Maarten.
Perhaps it’s a bit difficult and less clear-cut when the foreigners concerned are not as organised or already on the island, but if they are working for someone, regulating their status is the only right thing to do. By the way, many don’t have health insurance either, while that is simply a matter of registering them and paying the premium, as medical coverage does not depend on being a legal resident.
There is really no excuse to continue these unsavoury practices.
