SXMElections.com

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Local fiber optic contractors on the island are being sidelined, while Surinamese are brought in to execute work that could have been done locally.

One such person being sidelined is Alberto Arrindell, a former employee of the TelEm Group who is also an expert in the area of fiber optic cable.

While the Surinamese, who are said not to be in the possession of work permits have been awarded a contract to do the work, local qualified persons are being left out.

This was disclosed at a press conference held by the St. Maarten Communications Union (SMCU) on Wednesday morning.

According to president of the union, Ludson Evers, Alberto Arrindell sounded the alarm, when he realized that the contract which was not put on bid was granted to the group of Surinamese.

A letter regarding that issue has also been sent to the Prime Minister, the Honorable Marcel Gumbs, who is the shareholder of the company.

According to the president of the SMCU, the issue was also discussed with the director of the company, Helma Etnel who indicated at the time that a bid for the project would have taken place, however, to date, this has not happened.

It is against this back drop that the union has taken a decision and sent letters to the Immigration Department, Labor Department as well as the Labor Inspectorate informing them of the legality of the contractors.

The union has also sent a letter to the Prime Minister as shareholder of the company requesting that he use his power to put a stop to what they say was an illegal situation at TelEm.

Whilst addressing that subject at the press conference on Wednesday, the union official also told journalists that they have no confidence in the board of directors of the company, as the chairman Raphael Boasman is affiliated to the Labor Department as well.