Dear editor,
Many in the business community just think of themselves, look at when they come out in the media and what they talk about—this is the sentiment you hear in the street and on social media.
To what degree the above is true is no doubt debatable. What is certain, however, is the contentious relationship that the business community organizations have with both the government and employees. Again, to varying degrees. Recent deliberate nasty comments regarding work permits don’t help either in their quest for an audience, sympathy, or assistance.
No doubt, every country, St. Maarten included, is going through unprecedented rough economic and social times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which will only get worse in the short run. It’s going to get very bad for many, the most affected will be the working class and unemployed and the most vulnerable people in our society. Government is doing their best considering their handicaps. Hindsight is always 20/20.
So instead of realizing the gravity of the totality of the situation, these business organizations insist, head strong, on focusing their efforts, no matter how biased, on extraordinary requests in times of crisis. The possibility for such assistance is indeed problematic in numerous ways.
So where does that leave us—stuck between a rock and a hard place until someone or something gives. If only our interest is focused on one sector of society, the other sectors will have to give. That is a different type of St Maarten we all would not want to live in.
The other option of course is that we could simply work together and negotiate our differences. To achieve some sort of cooperation in spite of our different interests among the unions, government, and business organizations, amongst others, has to start and end with respect, fairness, and compassion from all sides in negotiating.
Pedro de Weever
