The Governor of the Island Territory of St. Maarten, Mr. Franklyn Richards, reminds the general public that the traditional carnival extra day off this year falls on Wednesday, April 29, which is also the day on which jouvert morning is observed. Queen’s Birthday (Thursday, April 30) is a public holiday. The day coincides with the 2009 Grand Carnival Parade.
Friday, May 1 which is Labor Day is also observed as a public holiday.
The general public, operators of business establishments in particular, are further advised to additionally bear in mind that businesses may open on holidays, with employees opting to work on a voluntary basis.
Employers are reminded that they must adhere to the labor laws, as laid down in the labor regulations of July 27, 2000 (Publication Sheet 200, no. 67), on these official holidays.
Employers are thus asked to keep in mind the relevant labor laws regulating work performed on that day.
This entails that persons can only be put to work on a voluntary basis and must be paid the tariff for holidays stipulated in the labor laws, if work is performed on the holidays in question.