The signing of this collective labour agreement this afternoon is yet another historic moment for Sint Maarten.
The signing of this CLA represents a lot of firsts.
Holland House, St. Maarten October 15, 2010
Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour
Mrs. Maria Buncamper-Molanus
The signing of this collective labour agreement this afternoon is yet another historic moment for Sint Maarten.
The signing of this CLA represents a lot of firsts.
· First CLA signed on behalf of the employees of The First Caribbean Bank on Sint Maarten;
· First signing of a CLA witnessed by me in my capacity as Minister of Sint Maarten;
While these two facts are important, even more important is the fact that this CLA is the first one to be signed in our 5 day old Country Sint Maarten. You made history.
As Minister of Labour my policies will promote achieving job security, decent, healthy and safe working conditions for workers while securing the economic viability of the employer.
It is therefore heartwarming to be able to witness the signing of a CLA which is the result of workers and employer, both via their representatives, having sat at a table and exercised their
right to collective bargaining.
It is via this process that demands made are weighed against financial possibilities in a realistic economic environment.
We are experiencing economic tough times. Many are no longer fortunate to have employment. Many do not have permanent employment. 29% of our youth are without employment. These are some sobering facts of the economic reality we are living in today. This is not only on Sint Maarten but worldwide.
We need to find the balance between growing our economy and creating permanent employment for our people.
I would like to encourage all workers, workers representatives,
employers and employer representative to respect the right to collective bargaining as laid down in ILO convention nr. 98 entitled "Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949"
I would like to congratulate Management, The Union "Bond di Empleadonan Bancario y Aseguro" (Bank and insurance Workers Union) and most of all the workers covered by this CLA. You have demonstrated maturity and I am sure that you will long after today reap the fruits of the seed you planted today.
Congratulations and God Bless you all.