PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — In light of the recent surge in criminal activities on our island, the union is committed to utilizing every available resource to address and combat crime effectively. Over the past few months, our community has been significantly impacted by the actions of various individuals perpetrating these offenses. As the upcoming election and also threat of a storm approaches, ensuring the safety and security of our island is paramount.
We recognize that a collaborative effort is essential to safeguarding our community. The unions stand ready to develop comprehensive strategies aimed at reducing crime and enhancing public safety. Our initiatives will include increased patrolling, community engagement programs, and support for preventative measures.
It is crucial that we unite and pool our resources to create a safe and secure environment for all residents. The election and hurricane period presents an opportunity for us to reaffirm our commitment to the well-being of our island, and we urge all stakeholders to join us in this vital endeavor.
We are confident that with a concerted effort, we can mitigate the impact of crime and foster a sense of security and peace within our community. The union remains dedicated to this cause and will continue to prioritize the safety of our island. That is why on Friday August 9th, 2024 the unions NAPB – St. Maarten and ABVO-St. Maarten, held on our request an urgent meeting with the Minister of Justice the Hon. Mr. L. Lewis.
The agenda points were:
1: The update of the national decrees of its members.
The update that the unions received was that at this moment 4 batches are currently at the Governor. The unions asked the minister about the hold up. The unions were explained by the hon. minister, that some decrees were made up wrong, and therefore the batches were sent back for corrections. The unions also respond to the hon. minister, that why a whole batch have to be sent back if the mistakes were noticed on some of the decrees. The unions question why the majority has to suffer, because 2 or 3 decrees that had mistakes on them. There were also some other issues mentioned by the hon. minister that contributed to the delays, and that he already dealt with those issues.
The unions remind the hon minister, that seeing that the prime minister has declared that the country is in crisis, we the unions believed that the formalities to have things done, for workers, has to be put aside. Remember our members, going out there every day, 24/7 to protect and serve the community they vouched to protect, but their employer does not seem to protect them. It is very important to have their salary fixed. Our members are getting fed up. They are losing the trust of their leaders, who are there to fight for their rights. The feelings among our members are very mixed.
They have been in a crisis for 14 years and counting.
According to them the foundation has already been set. There should be no hold up. They do understand that the country is in a crisis. They know what a crisis is. But that does not mean that the crisis has to take a toll on them. It will not be acceptable. The hon minister understood our message from the members to him and promised to have a follow-up on Monday August 12th, 2024, about the batches at the Governor. Another question that was posted to the hon. minister was why is only 25 national decrees per week if there are 4 batches? On that question the hon minister, the Governor also has their procedures, when it comes to checking the national decrees. The unions had the opportunity to see the documents of the 4 batches that he submits to the Governor.
2: Another point that the unions touched on, based with the hon minister, was about the insurance for the members. The unions wanted a much-needed update. The response from the hon. minister on this point was that the offer is by the Governor for final approval. It is very important to have an update on this point, knowing that our members are going out every day, 24/7 and with the doubt that they are not insured.
3: Their steps:
It is known that the members did not receive their steps. The hon minister acknowledges this also, but convene to us that it has to do with Finance. The unions propose to the minister a temporary solution until this matter will be resolved.
The unions also use the opportunity obo the boards and the members to thank the committee that was put in place by the hon minister, in order to have the national decrees for all the justice departments, make up. The unions concluded that the meeting was one, very open whereby the boards could have freely let the hon minister know, what are the feelings and sentiments, under the members and despite that the hon minister does communicate via regular press briefing, much in depth updates have to come from the unions, to them. And for this to happen, the unions are a strategic partner(s) for them. The unions and the hon minister also agreed to meet if circumstances permitted them to continue dialogues on a later date and time.
