Dear Editor,
Today, I stand before you to address a pressing crisis that affects the very fabric of our workforce and the dignity of our people - the issue of temp agencies and the abuse of workers here in St. Maarten.
It is no secret that our island depends on the contributions of hardworking individuals, both local and foreign, who labour day in and day out to support themselves and their families. But, regrettably, in the shadows of our thriving economy, a troubling crisis has taken root, threatening the livelihoods and well-being of countless workers.
Temp agencies, meant to provide flexibility and opportunity, have instead become instruments of exploitation. Workers are treated as mere commodities, their rights ignored, and their dignity stripped away. It is a crisis of conscience, a crisis of compassion, and a crisis we can no longer turn a blind eye to.
Workers are subjected to deplorable conditions - long hours, inadequate pay, and unsafe working environments. Their voices are stifled, their grievances dismissed, and their hopes for a better life shattered.
As a community, we must stand together to address this crisis head-on. We cannot allow the agencies that are meant to connect workers with employment to continue this cycle of abuse. We must demand transparency, fairness, and accountability in the operation of these agencies.
I call upon our government to enact and enforce stronger policies to protect the rights of workers, ensure fair wages, and hold abusive temp agencies accountable for their actions. We need a comprehensive approach that involves collaboration between government, employers, and labour organizations.
Furthermore, we must raise awareness within our community about these issues, empower workers to know their rights, and provide them with the support they need to seek justice when those rights are violated.
Let us remember that the strength of St. Maarten lies not just in its breathtaking landscapes, but in the strength and resilience of its people. We cannot thrive as a society while turning a blind eye to the suffering of our workers.
This crisis demands our immediate attention and unwavering commitment to justice. Let us stand united, ensuring that every worker in St. Maarten is treated with the dignity, respect, and fairness they deserve.
Thank you, and let us work together to bring about the change our workers so desperately need.
Quincy Rochester
Dear Editor,
Today, I stand before you with a heavy heart, compelled to address a pressing issue that plagues the very core of our nation's economy — our beloved hospitality industry. St. Maarten's hospitality sector is not just a source of income; it's a reflection of our warmth, our culture, and our pride. However, beneath its surface lies a stark and unsettling reality of abuse and injustice.
From the bustling kitchens to the diligent hands in the laundry rooms, the backbone of our hospitality industry tirelessly dedicates themselves to making St. Maarten a beacon of hospitality. Yet, it is disheartening to witness how some employers exploit their dedication and hard work. This exploitation ranges from siphoning off service charges meant for the workers to arbitrarily deciding how much a worker deserves in tips. Such practices are a stain on the very soul of our industry.
To compound our challenges, we now face the ominous shadow of SZV's proposal to tax the tips that we, the workers, have earned through our tireless efforts. It feels like a slap in the face to those who are already grappling with unfair treatment. This proposal is not just a matter of finances; it is a matter of justice and dignity. We should not be penalized for our commitment to providing exceptional service.
What is even more troubling is the seeming indifference from certain quarters of our government. Our cries for justice and fairness appear to be met with apathy or a deliberate disregard. The Minister of VSA, who bears the responsibility of overseeing matters concerning our industry, seems to either ignore our pleas or perhaps lacks the concern for the hardships endured by the lifeblood of our economy — the workers.
However, we are a resilient people, and we will not be silenced. We are here to demand change. We implore our government to listen to our voices, to heed our calls for transparency, accountability, and equitable treatment of our workers. We stand united against the abuse and injustice that tarnish the very industry that defines our nation.
Furthermore, let us not forget the plight of those caught in the web of temp agencies. Despite the law being amended in October 2022 to protect workers, some agencies unlawfully terminate employees after more than two years of service. This is not just a breach of contract; it is an affront to justice and fairness.
The practice of companies using agencies as employers to avoid certain responsibilities or burdens associated with employees is often referred to as "employee leasing" or "staffing agencies." While this practice can offer some advantages, such as flexibility in hiring and managing personnel, it can also raise ethical and legal concerns.
It's essential to be aware that in many jurisdictions, labour laws and regulations still hold employers accountable for the treatment and rights of employees, even if they are sourced through agencies. In such cases, the client company may still bear some legal obligations regarding the well-being and rights of the workers provided by the agency.
It's crucial for both client companies and staffing agencies to operate within the bounds of the law and to ensure fair treatment, appropriate compensation, and adherence to labour regulations for all workers, regardless of their employment structure. Violations of labour laws or unethical practices can result in legal consequences and damage to a company's reputation.
If you believe that such practices are occurring in your workplace, it's advisable to seek legal counsel or report the matter to relevant labour authorities to ensure that the rights of workers are protected and that employment practices are conducted fairly and ethically.
We call upon our leaders to take action, to address the abuse and injustice within our industry, and to revisit the proposal to tax our hard-earned tips. We demand an open dialogue and collaboration to find solutions that uplift everyone, from the kitchen to the laundry room.
Our hospitality industry is not just about serving visitors; it's about taking care of our own, ensuring that their dedication and toil are recognized and rewarded. Let us stand together, raise our voices, and work tirelessly toward a future where justice and fairness reign supreme in St. Maarten's hospitality industry. Thank you, and may our calls for change be heard and acted upon.
SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR ALL!
Quincy Rochester
Dear Editor,
I can never claim that I did not write this or that because like I always mention it is black on white. I also make sure that what I write is not hearsay, and if so be the case I would mention that.
I read a letter to the Editor meant for the attention of the minister of justice and I continue to ask myself when are we going to learn?
Question, if a fifth grade child steals a phone from another fifth grade child during school hours, who is to blame for that?. Who should be held accountable? Who should be in charge of that investigation, the school teacher, the school principal, the parents, the police, the chief of police or the minister of justice?
I do not know whether Cuthbert Bannis knows better or not. Or probably the lack of civics in school is raising it's head. Just like everybody would expect for me to know what channels to pursue, I expect those who use sarcasm to get at those who they think would probably not entertain them, to know which are the competent authorities to approach.
The owner of a car company does not make the cars. For instance, when I needed to verify or find an address I would ask the postman, the GEBE bill distributor, etc. if they were familiar with that address. The supervisors and foremen on the job are the ones responsible for the daily operations of a company. Civics teaches us how a country is run/governed.
Why would I go so far as to think that it is the responsibility of the minister of justice to make sure that a person's address is found, while there are people who are paid to do that job? Is the minister a puppeteer?.
I am aware that people have formed an opinion of who I am by reading my letters to you. But many of those who know how I performed my duties have concluded that it had to be for the love of this country. What I think would be a good topic to write about and would be doing the people a favour, would be if one should ask government, not the minister of justice, the Sint Maarten government, what about housing for the community police in the different communities?
Now this. I am writing this because I do not believe that permitting persons who have lived on Sint Maarten for more than thirty years and did not make an effort to obtain the Dutch nationality should be given the opportunity to take part in our political elections. The majority of these people used the pleasures and gratuities of Sint Maarten while holding on to the passport of their country of origin, because having dual nationality was not possible.
Then comes retirement age and old age pension. But one has to be Dutch to collect a government old age pension, so let us apply for a Dutch passport also because things have changed in our country of origin. Which brings to mind the question where were all of these people who were here 30 years ago after hurricane Luis? With our vacillating tax system I strongly doubt if these 30 yearers are in the tax system, which would be totally unfair to me. I am not in favour of this thought and just like I am advocating for the pensioners to go out and vote but to vote blank until something is done about the pittance that we are getting while the supermarkets and hardware stores are making millions. I will continue to say 'no way'.
When we Google the word 'dignity' it says " The state or quality of being worthy of honour or respect" The pensioners need a favour. This is not a question of not liking strangers, it is just like all our neighbouring islands say. 'Natives first'. I cannot make this up. What is so wrong with Sint Maarten that it is good enough to work here for thirty years but not good enough to become a citizen?
One comes here, works for a long time, gets the opportunity to vote. Then if things are not going well with the government the answer would be, Sint Maarten got the government they voted for. And here comes the kicker. Those who voted but do not have a Dutch passport will say 'I am not Dutch'. I am not a judge of people, but after over forty-one years I have an idea of people's behavior.
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
I had to laugh out loud. In Friday’s paper was the usual nonsense from our good friend, world commentator, self-appointed life coach and critic Russell Simmons … a man incapable of writing less than 10,000 words and still not able to make a coherent point from any of it. In this case his target was our own Mr. Cuthbert Bannis … a man who is the antithesis of Mr. Simmons. The difference? Easy. What Mr. Simmons preaches in his endless incoherent prose that is hardly ever worth reading, Mr. Bannis makes understood clearly and unambiguously in just a few sentences.
More importantly, Cuthbert is almost always precisely on point and correct in his observations as opposed to Mr. Simmons who is almost as universally wrong assuming the reader can actually ever make sense of what he is trying to say in his diatribes.
You picked the wrong target to criticize, Russell. Cuthbert’s ability behind the keyboard simply highlights your total ineptitude. To anyone interested, I recommend reading the work of both and decide who is more credible to believe … it’s an easy choice.
Steven Johnson
Honourable Anna Richardson,
We all know you are fully focusing on the function book since you took office. But there's a law that needs to be amended concerning the two locations a bailiff can or should deliver a verdict. It sounds very funny for Justice workers to say the address cannot be found and the police know the person.
And in this modern time St. Maarten should have three to five special police in the force to find these individuals.
The bailiffs are saying letters are not delivered when the citizens are seeing that same person every day. Regardless if is a criminal or not, a bailiff should be able to deliver or hand out a verdict anywhere, any place and at any time.
If an address cannot be found, the police and the detective who did the investigation, let them go with the bailiff to deliver the verdict. You all are Justice workers. Help fix the world.
St. Maarten has many laws to put in place. The people are not protesting but they are suffering.
Cuthbert Bannis
