Philipsburg Bike Patrol Good or Bad?

Sorry but I still have some reservations about this bicycle surveillance group from Sheriff Security. I don’t know if it is a good thing to have a private company just provide security in public places without some kind of law describing what they are allowed to do and not allowed to do.
If as the case was mentioned that they are only an extra set of eyes, then maybe a camera surveillance system might have been a better option. It is only natural that this bike patrol will have some kind of interaction with the public. How can we be so sure that these bike people are actually trained in aspects of conflict resolution, hand to hand combat or whatever else they may need to be equipped with?
Now, I not anti-foreigner or anything like that, but there is a reason that not too many locals work as security guards. The word on the street is that the guards are underpaid and not all benefits due to them are given to them. There are also persistent rumors that some instances of exploitation are prevalent in this industry.
With these rumors on the street, do we really want to take a risk that some of these bike patrol may be disgruntled, under-paid, exploited employees. Additionally, are there any background checks done on these bike patrol officers or security guards in general. There have been several robberies that security guards were suspected of being involved in.
To make this patrol permanent in areas frequented by the public, I think government should contact the VKS and the Police and organize an appropriate training program with the appropriate background checks and establish a permanent force.
This force could be responsible for traffic violations, assisting police when patrolling, security at public functions, etc. The salary and benefits should be at a level where young locals are actually interested in doing the job and the career path should be another major incentive.

Time For Dr. Scot To Practice Medicine!!!

I have always been a proponent that not every person that is working as a doctor, technician or some other specialized job should necessarily be put in management. I believe that before they are thrust into a management position that they should be allowed the opportunity to follow some management courses.

Now I am not aware if Dr. Scot, present Director of the Medical Center, has followed any such training but from the information coming from the Medical Center in the last few weeks we can assume that this is not the case. It must be clear to everyone that decisions made by the Director during this period was not in the best interest of the overall health care of the island.

It now seems like the Randy Friday saga is only the top of the iceberg. They say everything happens for a reason and we can now see the reason Dr. Friday was given such a hard time. If Government and the Board are to do the right thing then when this is all over and Dr. Friday’s clinic is open we can expect better overall healthcare.

It’s time for Government to instruct the board to terminate Dr. Scot as the Director and offer him a job in the medical profession. That way he can continue to make a living. The other decision would be to hire a temporary manager to setup a structure that would not allow this to happen again. It is inconceivable to me that one man can keep the health care of an entire island under his control. Regulation is require in this case and many others.

The Labor Policy Writers Respond

It was only a matter of time, but the architects of the labor policy have replied and they claim that the previous comments by the business sector are far off base and not completely true. Additionally they claim that the business sector is concentrating on the negative aspects of the policy and not the positives. Sounds like the business sector is trying to win favor in the public by playing victim.

The architects claim that the policy is consistent with all the islands in the region as well as the wider world, the regulation and protection of not only those of us carrying Dutch passports but those with permanent or temporary residency as well. This was unknown to me in my previous blog.

What this means, if properly enforced, is the exploitation that defines our labor force will be curtailed. Now some might be against this but I am all for it. I think it will be better for the island if EVERYONE living and working on the island is able to afford a decent apartment or house with indoor plumbing and a working septic system, all this while they are able to send money home to help their families. Of course this will not stop our sewage problem but that’s another blog.

My concern is that for years now Government has accepted “gifts” from the business community to ‘sell’ labor permits, while using it to further their political careers, along with handing out bus licenses, land and other political favors. Are we to believe that the very same politicians will actually allow this policy to be implemented 100% or will they use loopholes?

The architects claim the policy is transparent and I hope it is because a lack of transparency is what is plaguing this island. I say hope because I was unable to find it on the websites advertised. Let’s hope that it is posted by the time I post this.

www.governorsxm.com is suppose to have it but I can’t find it. If you do let me know.

Labor Policy

The New Labor Policy

Who is the genius that came up with that new labor policy? Now I must admit that I have not read the entire document so this is only a preliminary reaction to what was reported in the media.

Are they really saying that they will only sign documents for skilled workers? I might be wrong but aren’t most of the immigrants working in menial jobs where most St. Maarteners don’t want to work? Now I have always been against our young people only wanting to work in the casino or some administrative job. I think that we need to start getting involved in jobs that traditionally used to be local but has since evolved into foreign jobs.

Jobs like construction and maintenance, air-conditioning repair, house painting, etc. are all very lucrative careers but due to the lack of a Poly-technical school and other reasons, we no longer partake in these activities.

Now government is saying that no more labor permits will be signed for unskilled work but what are we to understand under unskilled? Is this limited to garbage pick-up only, or do we include casino dealers, or is this a skill? What about truck drivers, is that a skill?

The employment system on St. Martin is based on exploitation, most employers hire immigrants because they pay them below minimum wage, they don’t offer them any health insurance and in many cases the immigrant has to work up to 12 hours a day without the correct compensation.

This money saving exploitation along with many St. Martiners not wanting to work in the specific areas is the major issue to resolve. Sadly, I don’t see this labor policy achieving this goal.