MP Solange Ludmila Duncan.
PHILIPSBURG--National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) Solange Ludmila Duncan has requested Minister of Health, Social Development and Labour VSA Richard Panneflek to conduct a poverty-line study within six months.
In a letter to Panneflek dated April 23, she asked about the VSA Ministry’s capacity and intention to carry out a poverty-line study this year. Duncan said the presentation made by Finance Minister Ardwell Irion on April 24 – on the St. Maarten Stimulus and Relief Plan (SSRP) – in which Panneflek was present, provided some insight into the plans of government to assist vulnerable groups in the community in the form of income and payroll support and food vouchers.
SSRP provides assistance in the form of payroll support of up to 80 per cent to vulnerable businesses as well as support to the tune of NAf. 1,150 to persons who are unemployed and sole proprietors without income, for three months.
“While I appreciate the efforts of both ministries to provide assistance and support in the form of food and direct income support to those that are living at or below poverty levels, I think it is important to understand all of the needs of the most vulnerable: not only as it concerns food but access to healthcare, housing, rent and utilities,” Duncan said in a press release on Sunday.
“Furthermore, the basket of goods decree should also be adapted immediately and there should be regular controls at supermarkets as food cost continues to rise.”
In 2019, University of St. Martin (USM) in collaboration with the St. Maarten Anti-Poverty Platform submitted a proposal entitled “Minimum Reference Budgets for Saint Martin: A Research Proposal” to the then Council of Ministers. The project would determine the minimum amount of income a household could survive upon.
In her letter to the minister, Duncan suggested that the VSA Ministry review the proposal made, contact the relevant stakeholders and accelerate the process to conduct a poverty-line study. Duncan also queried whether the ministry currently has a task force or committee established for poverty measurement.
“Government has a responsibility to function in a proactive manner and create policies and legislation based on solid research and data. If we do not understand who and what we are, we cannot map out a strategic route forward. I believe now more than ever that this poverty-line study must take place. As a country, we need to decide how well we want our people to live post-COVID-19,” she said.
