Minister of Labour Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus confirmed this afternoon that the formalization of the appointment of the labour mediator has been completed. Having the responsibilities, as established in the Federal Ordinance regulating Labour disputes and the accompanied resolutions, Mr. Derrick Holiday has been appointed as Labour Mediator for St. Maarten.
The mediator’s responsibilities include supporting parties during collective labour agreements negotiations, analyzing and mediating in disputes, providing solutions, organizing referenda and advising on policy matters. The mediators function within the policy department of labour.
Both mediators will be formally introduced at a meeting with stakeholders which will be announced at a later date.
"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Holiday and look forward to working with him. As was announced earlier Mr. Lopes has been requested to continue for a period of six months also as mediator, during which period he would guide the new mediator Mr. Holiday in the carrying out of his function".
Together the gentlemen will also tackle whatever backlog exists as far as the responsibilities of the mediator is concerned.