SXMElections.com

PHILIPSBURG--Government has not yet reached a final agreement with Social and Health Insurance SZV and General Pension Fund APS over outstanding arrears owed.

Finance Minister Martin Hassink told The Daily Herald on Friday that agreements have not yet been sealed. "We did not reach a final agreement yet, but [we are – Ed.] still talking in good cooperation," he said. "We are evaluating the proposals now on the table."

When asked about the approaching Committee for Financial Supervision CFT deadline for these matters to be finalised, Hassink said "I have no deadlines with APS or SZV. Only CFT wanted us to solve the payment arrears by the end of May beginning of June. I will only make decisions and come to agreements if they are financially viable."

SZV Interim Director Glen Carty said on Thursday evening that SZV was still waiting for a response to its proposal to government. He said the proposal had been put together by a wide team comprising parties from both sides including legal minds and financial representatives.

CFT has given government until this month to substantiate that it can bring in the necessary income to cover the NAf. 445 million income set for the 2015 budget and settle the long-standing payment arrears of NAf. 200 million owed to SZV and General Pension Fund APS.

CFT had earlier described the situation with government's arrears to SZV and APS as "disconcerting." The arrears have been long pending and are causing persons to get "scared." It will "undermine confidence" in authorities and will cause people to question what will become of their pensions. CFT hopes that a lid can be placed on these issues when it returns to St. Maarten in June.