Presidents of the various unions affiliated in the WICLU, esteemed board members and the workers of Country St. Maarten,
This year’s Labour Day will be more of a deep reflection than a celebration of our local heroes as most historic or who have made an impact and who have played a vital role behind the scenes in the spirit of labour. That has become our norm for the celebration of this historic day that is Internationally celebrated with parades of protest, demonstrations and widespread violence in the streets of many larger countries throughout the world
Workers usually would march through the streets while chanting and holding up messages against the different forms of abuse and violations in the workplace and publicly saying “No” to all the different forms of abuse.
With the world being affected by the COVID-19 virus the tone of this celebration is most likely to change completely given the impact that this virus has had on the health, social and economic structures in our societies. While workers are not willing to risk their health, we must commend our frontline workers in St. Maarten and around the world and recognize them as our local, regional and international heroes, who are making an historic impact on this Labor Day 2020.
We, as presidents of the various unions, salute you, as workers on the frontline and commend you all for your great and dedicated services to all.
As unions we continue to demand the standards of occupational health and safety in the workplace and denounce any violations thereof.
In retrospect, as presidents of unions, we have to continue to evaluate the consequences and negative impact that this pandemic would have on the workers of our country.
Governments all over the world have estimated and evaluated their reality based on the fact that the necessary lockdown has created a number of social and economic challenges for the workers. Sad enough, our government has not been able to structurally evaluate the impact this pandemic has caused on the formal and informal economy in St. Maarten. This has left many workers with many questions and many employers with questionable acts.
Unionized workers as well as non-unionized workers, permanent as well as contract workers, workers in the formal as well as workers in the informal economy are all face with enormous challenges.
Our governments have time and time again failed the workers by not enacting legislation for the social protection of the worker’s rights and benefits, unemployment benefits, living wages, cost-of-living adjustments to safeguard the purchasing power of the workers and correct the inflation on the prices of basic goods and services.
Employers consequently defy the few outdated labour laws by frequently using loopholes to make different forms of abuse of their position to terminate workers during natural disasters and this pandemic of COVID-19.
I dare say that as unions we breathed a sigh of relief when we heard the announcement of “payroll assistance “ and of stimulus packages for businesses to circumvent mass layoffs or termination of workers. This would have to prevent a rise in unemployment. I must say we are all disappointed that this is exactly what is happening at this moment without the government departments or labour mediator being involved. Some employers do this without consultation with the unions, using the phrase “termination by mutual agreement” and cunningly bypassing a number of important steps that have to be taken in any process of termination.
As unions we have to be vigilant and educate our members to their rights, so that they don’t sign to anything that would be less of their rights or benefits.
Beware!
As unions we should be prepared to defend our members and take these matters to court to seek justice against the violation of the social and economic justice for the workers.
It is a shame that to date a number of issues were reported in Parliament on questions asked by members. The Minister of Labour in his answers alluded to meetings to be held with the tri-partite committee and with unions representing the workers. My question would be: When? Or whether the answer would be “Never!”
I guess we as unions already know what to expect with a budget that doesn’t reflect the rights of the workers and the people of St. Maarten to social development, eradication of poverty and equality for all. One thing is sure now that the pill is much harder to swallow when our leaders agree for a measly 5 per cent salary cut when considering their much-talked-about measures in whatever form or fashion.
The COVID-19 must not be used by members of employers organizations and government to net out their hidden agendas and measures.
The COVID-19 will not prevent us as unions in defence of our members from saying “No!”
The COVID-19 will not prevent us as unions from standing in solidarity with the workers!
And the COVID-19 definitely will not prevent us from seeking social justice for the workers!
So, as we reflect deeply on this Labor Day 2020, I would like to continue encouraging the St. Maarten workers to be strong and as I deliver this message as President of the WICLU, be safe because, solidarity is forever!
Claire Elshot-Aventurin
President WICLU
