Proposed Bosman-law extensively discussed
The Director of the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague Mr. Perry Geerlings held a meeting with Parliamentarians the Hon. Leroy de Weever, the Hon. Roy Marlin and the Hon. Patrick Illidge at Parliament last week, updating the Parliamentarians on various matters related to the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary and its roles and responsibilities.
Mr. Geerlings explained the functioning of the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague and the support and services that cabinet renders while representing St. Marten in the Netherlands. Mr. Geerlings also explained that much focus was placed on the so-called Bosman-law, the law proposal of Member of the Second Chamber of Dutch Parliament André Bosman of the liberal democratic VVD party to restrict the residency of people from the Dutch Caribbean in The Netherlands.
"The gentlemen were particularly interested in what exactly the concept Bosman-law entails. I explained the content of this concept law but also the ramifications and consequences thereof. They showed keen interest for this concept law because they are concerned about the consequences it might have for St. Maarten and the free movement of its people throughout the Kingdom and more in particular when moving or travelling to the Netherlands," explained Mr. Geerlings. "We also discussed and exchanged ideas of possible strategies against to prevent this concept law from going into effect."
The Three Parliamentarians were also interested in the status of the political climate presently existing in the Netherlands and how the Dutch politicians see the introduction of the concept law of their colleague Bosman, but also how the Dutch people perceive the citizens of the Dutch Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
Also discussed were the ways and means to come to a better exchange of information/communication between the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary and Parliament. Follow-ups regarding the meeting and subsequent meetings will be held in the future.