Dear Editor,
I entered the labour market right after high school. Like most youth, I believed that having a job meant that life was going well. That is nothing but folly. What I came to realize is that the labour market is simply a modern-day plantation, where labourers are under- or misrepresented, disrespected and undervalued by their managers or employers. It’s a plantation, because just like in the 18th and 19th centuries, workers are being grossly underpaid for their hard work.
Added to this, many workers are unaware of their rights, which permit employers to exploit them. There are those who do know their rights, but won’t speak out because they know at least 10 people are eyeing their job. Thus, one is left to be satisfied with crumbs from massa’s table.
There is a great imbalance in the distribution of wealth in this billion-guilder economy, which is built on the backs of workers on the island. Therefore, the injustices we face have to be circumvented by government. It is their responsibility to make sure that laws and regulations are upheld, so that there is a balance of power between employer and worker. As history has proven, no barrier can stand against the tide of our struggle for justice.
However, our politicians focus a lot on economic growth and very little on the people’s development. This means that only those with capital are able to profit from the growth, including the parties who are financed by those with the capital. They profit because they can increase productivity in their business sector and neglect your development, since they have the means to invest elsewhere.
As Dr. Gordon Rohlehr wrote in Calypso and Society, "Money is King” begins with the assertion that if a man has money, people will overlook his leprosy or crime and grant him the highest social status. But if you are poor, de people tell you 'shoo’ and a dog is better than you'. That’s why certain individuals can get away for committing crimes while a worker or his child receives complete punishment by the law.
I guess that’s the reason why not one of the 5 governments we’ve had in the last 5 years, did anything of significance for the people. Each one had a hand in the nepotism and ship jumping that took place. Electoral reform cannot reform broken men, who lack political maturity and morale. Over the five years, we’ve witnessed a (D)own (P)ouring of hardship. Everything has gone UP except our salaries. Quality leadership is (N)ot (A)vailable and far too many (U)nchallenged (S)etbacks keep us from further development.
So, what are the solutions to our problems? Love is the first step. We must first love ourselves, and love our brothers as we love ourselves. In loving ourselves, we assert our human rights and ability to seek upward mobility. With self-love comes confidence, pride, determination and self-realization. With this in mind we’d no longer tolerate the disrespect and unwillingness on behalf of those we trust with our livelihood.
In loving our brothers, we create unity and strength among ourselves, which is necessary for sustaining equality in our society and respect in our communities. We must stop selling out each other, underestimating our power and challenge the status quo.
Our ancestors toiled enough land, cut enough cane and picked enough cotton for us to remain subservient to the owners and bourgeoisie of this modern-day plantation. It is time we work in our favour. Workers on the island must know their rights, invest in their children and stand up against corruption. Our challenge today is relinquishing the fear of defeat and betrayal. Remember that you also pay your bosses salary by the service you render. We are the ones who elect officials to work, and we must not be afraid to hold them accountable, not just to their words, but to our needs.
I ask of you to hold out your hands for St. Martin to see, but first ask yourself if you put them to use in her favour. What have you done to protect her? If your hands remain without a scratch, then maybe it’s time to pick up your tools. With love comes great sacrifice, and this plantation can no longer remain as it is. Let us begin to work for our island. St. Martin will make sure our work prevails.
Ralph Cantave
UNESCO Youth Representative
