Today’s news that stores in Philipsburg may open on Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day does not come as a big surprise. The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT) has done it many times in recent years for similar reasons, namely the number of cruise ships scheduled to call on those dates.
Since these are three of only four holidays with mandatory stop closures, in addition to Good Friday, the question can be now asked if the measure intended to promote celebrating and spending time together even makes sense any more. The announced exemptions are meant to enhance the visitor experience and support economic activity during the busy season.
The regulation was already weakened by excluding pharmacies, insofar as they sell medicine and medical products; bars and restaurants; hotels and guest-houses; stores located in hotels, at the airport and on harbour premises; funeral parlours; gas stations; and bakeries selling pastries, milk and/or milk products.
The latter at one point even led to a court case by other entrepreneurs claiming preferential treatment. However, government’s policy was upheld.
Importantly, labour laws stipulate that working on holidays rather than getting a day off is voluntary and requires higher pay. Employers who think it’s worth such must comply with these rules to operate.
For personnel it can be an opportunity to earn some extra money, but only if they choose to. It appears their rights are thus adequately protected in this regard.
Especially for a popular vacation destination, forcing businesses to remain shut is increasingly starting to seem like a thing of the past.
