SXMElections.com

PHILIPSBURG--“Will we be discussing the relevant law, and if so, with what objective? Is the meeting only informative? Then what is new?” These were some of the queries raised by Democratic Party leader Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams in a letter to Parliament about the meeting of Parliament’s Permanent Committee for Public Health, Social Development and Labour on the pending counterpart today, Friday.

She asked what was expected of the committee, as it relates to the agenda point. “Are there any new developments or decisions by government on this matter? Will the minister respond to the outstanding questions by Parliament on this topic?”

She proposed several priorities for the committee to pursue: plans for the urgent upgrade of St. Maarten Medical Center and the necessary financing, changes to the medical insurance laws and expanded coverage for vulnerable groups, payments to care providers and institutions, changes to the Civil Code with respect to labour contracts, maternity leave and “Ley di Bion” - a law designed to tackle youth unemployment.

On the other agenda point for the meeting – St. Maarten’s attendance at Flinx Recruitment Expo for the Dutch Caribbean FRED, the MP questioned the purpose of the FRED flyer being sent to Parliament, government’s position on St. Maarten’s participation in FRED, and if there is sufficient budget for a meaningful participation, among other questions.

Wescot-Williams called for Parliament to “guard against misuse or wrong application” of the rules governing the functioning of parliamentary committees. “It is my feeling that committees of Parliament are being used more and more without consideration for the Parliament itself. Topics for committee meetings are chosen at whim without any motivation or relevance.”

The committees are “not independent bodies,” but created to facilitate the workings of Parliament, by doing preliminary research for Parliament and reporting via the Central Committee of Parliament.

“Another worrying aspect” related to the committee meeting are the invitations to civil servants. “Firstly, this must always be done via the Minister concerned. However, when there are clearly issues that warrant a political discussion, then the Ministers should come before Parliament. When civil servants attend committee meetings and are questioned by members of Parliament, some members see this as an affront.”

Today’s committee meeting, which is opened to the public, is slated to start in Parliament House at 2:00pm.