Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
Dear Editor,
It has been a trying week – two major storms have passed us by without any damage or significant losses. Our Prime Minister, in taking charge made all the right moves in closing the country down avoiding possible loss of life in flooding and blowing projectiles. Even though some think the actions were unwarranted it still is better to err on the side of caution than to do nothing and wish you did.
The other decision taken by the PM was to declare or put a stop to our ministers meeting with Dutch civil servants. A decision to this effect was taken back in the 90s and I don’t know how it changed, but reversing it is a brilliant move. Not only is the civil servant in question rude and disrespectful, his bosses also have no respect for us as should be clear from their silence. Not meeting with Bouman is not enough, he should not form part of the aid crew from the Netherlands after some humbling negotiations by Minister Richardson.
By the way, I am very disappointed in our unions who acted as if it was just a police affair. Just so it is clear WICSU, ABVO, WIFOL, UFA and any other union should speak out when an outsider declares we are untrustworthy and corrupt; and, when an arrogant Dutchman comes to our shores declaring not to need our help for he supposedly knows everything let your combined voices be heard.
Transparency International wrote that people are afraid to speak out on issues they don’t agree with, maybe attitudes will change if unions and other social groups show the way. We are still in the process of tackling crime which is of utmost importance; however, we have got to find a way to do more than one thing at a time (multi-task). It is time we insure and secure employment for our people or they will continue to make bad decisions in seeking easy money and their neighbour’s goods.
Seems in being politically correct nobody wants to say it as it is for it will be an affront to what is considered normal, but I believe that racism is the reason for not employing local people. How else do you explain this not being an Indian nation, but more people of Indian descent is employed on Front Street and Back Street than locals? How is it that the Chinese or most Chinese continue to import their own people and not give jobs to our people? Isn’t it strange that we are in the hotel and casino business for over 50 years and we still don’t have a local manager? Consider that they also prefer to employ light-skinned, long-haired Dominican girls and not our people.
The greatest problem with all this is the government’s acceptance of these atrocious behaviours under the guise of not being able to tell business people who to employ. It would seem our government is along for the ride collecting their salaries and all the perks that go along with it, but in times of challenges we, the people, are left to figure it out or fight our own battles.
In the newspapers of last week we see people are again being instructed to sign up at the Labour Department, but how much can we really expect from this department when employers simply refuse to accept the people they send and still get permission to import labour. When it comes to making a living and making it in our own country there is no help in sight. As far as intervention from government is concerned you are on your own. You draw your own conclusions.
Elton Jones
