Mariadal.
BONAIRE--Head of the National Service Caribbean Netherlands RCN unit Social Affairs and Employment SZW Eric Brakke has forbidden a threatening strike at care institute “Fundashon Mariadal” on behalf of the Dutch Minister.
The planned industrial action is said to be in violation of the “Arbeidsgeschillenwet BES” (Labour Disputes Act for Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba), which stipulates that in cases such as this, the intervention of the mediator must be arranged. SZW has the task of verifying whether the parties comply with the law and if necessary, to act immediately.
Signals of dissatisfaction among the staff must of course be taken seriously and must be discussed, added an RCN release.
“It is precisely the mediator's commitment that provides for this. The mediator, Mr. Pontilius, has indicated that he will not be available on short term and that his deputy in Aruba, Mrs. Tromp, is prepared to replace him. The acting Kingdom Representative is able to appoint her for this directly.”
Fundashon Mariadal runs the only hospital on the island. SZW says especially now that the planned strike had not been announced well beforehand, it is completely unclear what the consequences would be for continuity of the necessary medical care.
President of the General Federation of Bonaire Workers AFBW Nilco Rollan had called for a gathering of all members at the entrance. Management says the trade union’s demands for a new Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) are unaffordable.
AFBW had reportedly asked for salary increases of a 2.5 per cent this year and 2 per cent in 2019, plus adjusting the annual vacation allowance from 8 to 8.33 per cent (full 13th month) and allowing three weeks instead of just one as extraordinary leave when accompanying close family sent abroad for medical treatment.
Mariadal has some 600 employees and in addition to hospital care also provides for emergency aid, air ambulance services, a nursing home, a dialysis unit, a home care centre and the nursing academy.
