Commissioner responsible for Labour Affairs Sarah Wescot-Williams, last week met with the Dominican Consul and several Dominican business owners to give clarity with respect to the January 12, 2009 revised Labour Policy and also to exchange views and ideas.
The request for the meeting came from the Dominican Consul based on concerns of the consul and that of Dominican business owners.
"The revised labour policy is a work in progress which could be adapted taking into consideration the different practical aspects of doing business on the island. This was the overall message given to the Dominican Consul and business owners.
"The meeting was very productive with the Dominican Consul willingness to work with the Labour Department on matching the local labour supply with employment demands of the market. One entrepreneur suggested that business persons can help mold personalities and work ethic during job trainings. Everybody is willing to work together to enhance the revised labour policy and work out the bugs in order for it to be applied in a constructive manner creating the opportunities for St. Maarteners seeking gainful employment," Commissioner of Labour Affairs Sarah Wescot-Williams told the Government Information Service (GIS).
Commissioner Wescot announced last week that a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prepared after a meeting with a private sector Think Tank contains some adjustments to the 2009 labour policy.
The Think Tank comprised of representatives of the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association.
The draft MOU will be presented to the Executive Council and then to the Tripartite Committee comprising of representatives from the unions, government and the business community. The latter will evaluate the implementation and execution of the revised labour policy and this will be done six-months after the implementation date (January 12, 2009).
Head of the Labour Department Raphael Boasman was also present during the meeting to provide clarity on different aspects of the policy.