SXMElections.com

PHILIPSBURG--Windward Islands Chamber of Labour Unions (WICLU) First Vice President Claire Elshot has come out swinging at Labour Minister and Member of Parliament (MP) Cornelius de Weever, saying that he should "step up to the plate" and protect workers in the country.

She was responding to statements made by De Weever in a recent press release saying that it was "extremely important" for all parties including trade union leaders to be "honest and substantiate their statements made to the media" regarding the 12 workers who lost their jobs at Coliseum Casino recently. The minister was reacting to earlier statements made by unions urging authorities to address the situation.

Elshot, who is also president of the teacher's union, told reporters on Thursday that information obtained by the union was from the workers themselves and from "files" dating back to 2002. She said based on this information, the Chamber of Unions felt that the workers should be permanent workers at Coliseum Casino and not kicked to the curb, when the owner of the employment agency, under whom they were hired, died.

She said companies that have workers in their employ for 20 or more years, through an employment agency, should "inherit" these workers if the employment agency owner dies. She said it should now be the duty of the labour minister, who she said is also an MP, to look after the social protection of the workers. "This is the job of the minister, not for the minister to slam the union because the information [the union had – Ed.] came from the archives," Elshot told reporters.

She said too that the Labour Office should "not stop at the pit" when doing inspections. She said they should go into the camera rooms and bars. She said in places such as in Aruba, Aruban persons get first preference at jobs.

The trade unionist said the intimidation of workers in St. Maarten is getting worse. In the past, she said, companies who did not want to have workers as permanent employees would have them stay home for a month, then they would be able to reapply for their jobs. This became three months and now workers are being told that they have to stay home for seven months before they can reapply for their same jobs.

She said government needs to put mechanisms in place for the social protection floor for workers in St. Maarten. "People who already have jobs should not be displaced after 20-plus years. How are they going to take care of their families?" Elshot asked. "I am asking De Weever to step up to the plate," she added.

The trade unionist believes that the "mission" of Parliament should be to protect workers and pass laws for their protection. She said the electorate voted for MPs and it was their job to fight for the people, not to forget them after they are elected. "The workers should be number one on their agenda," she charged. "We must stop hearing stories from employers that government is in their pocket."

Elshot said she did not want to get into any "tango" with anyone in government, but she said this needed to be addressed.

The 12 Coliseum Casino workers were placed on the breadline after the employment agency owner, under whom they were employed, died. One of the options the casino gave them was to stay home for three months, then reapply for their jobs. Another option was to form another employment agency under which they can continue to function in their positions.