SXMElections.com

The signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between Labour Minister Cornelius de Weever and five businesses to train and hire unemployed persons (see Saturday paper) is certainly a positive development. It regards a combined total of 23 trainees annually, which may not be much compared to the many jobless youngsters out there. However, each case that can be helped to achieve gainful employment, and thus kept from roaming the street with all possible consequences, should be considered a worthwhile investment. Of course, the companies involved also are looking at recruiting personnel to fill their vacancies, but the entire community stands to benefit. Hopefully, more businesses will join soon, as it's far better for the private sector to assist willingly in employing more locals rather than having government trying to force them to do so. The latter usually leads to unnecessary red tape, financial cost and administrative burden when it comes to employment permits for foreigners who actually are needed. For the same reasons the proposed counterpart requirement must be handled with great care. It is simply not realistic to expect this for all current expatriates already in St. Maarten, especially as there is no indication of any compensation for related expenses like extra salaries, workplaces, etc. Even if applied only to new employment permit requests, one would have to ensure that the company in question does not suffer to the extent that its long-term profitability is put at risk; for example, because the earnings are too small to afford such. Entrepreneurs in principle should not be told how to run their businesses, although they always must obey the local laws and show social responsibility. The trick is to find the right balance, but imposing rules and regulations that ultimately do more harm than good is probably not the best way to go. Cornelius de Weever mentioned 1 time

Helping Our People Excel Association [HOPE] mentioned 0 times