Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
PHILIPSBURG:--- With the financial care of Sint Maartens workforce at the forefront of its mission, weve paid close attention to the Minister of Finance Mr. Ardwell Irion's presentation of the proposed SSRP (Sint Maarten Support & Relief Plan).
We endorse the plan, as it directly addresses the care of employees, protect jobs and assist the less fortunate. This is a critical time for our workforce, and for the wellbeing of our citizens. We foresee the plan as a positive economic input on our community during this uncertain time in the history of our nation. Further, much consideration has been given to those who cannot support themselves in times of economic crisisevery person in Sint Maarten should be looked after, and we are confident that SSRP will do that. Everyone should get behind this effort and support it.
This is not a time for comparison, but for contemplation and commitment to our populationthe very people who make up our beloved island nation. Together, with the Governments support, the people of Sint Maarten will prevail.
Payroll support is a key element of the proposed plan, along with important social aspects. The proposal to respond to COVID-19s devastation of the local economy was prepared by the Ministry of Finance with the input of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten (CBCS), as well as input from various stakeholders on the island. Their primary objective: to avoid the layoff of employees (maintain employee retention) and help those affected by the lockdown of the economy. The proposed plan includes payroll support to businesses, income support to independents including taxi drivers, vendors, etc, soft loans to cover fixed costs other than payroll. The plan identifies a need for ANG 253 million for April, May and June 2020. The proposal will now go to The Netherlands with CFT still having to render its advice on it. In the interim, the government will start with the payroll support and income support programs that will be implemented before the end of April.
