Dear Editor,
As we are entertained by the discussion of the migration issue in the United States and the huge contradictions involved in that issue it struck me that it might be a good time to pause and look at the migration issue here in Sint Maarten.
There is a fundamental difference between Sint Maarten and the United States. It is that our land mass, capacity and absorption capacity is minimal whilst in the United States it remains substantial with substantial absorption capacity.
It is the same, however, insofar as these economies both (and many other economies) require immigration to drive growth with the consistent model of development. In fact, the issue is not really immigration at all; it is, particularly in Sint Maarten, about growth.
The tiny economy of Sint Maarten grew quickly in the 1980s and 1990s through outside investment and the construction of tourist infrastructure. If it had not been for immigration, this growth could not have occurred at the speed it did. The second generation of these immigrants is less enthusiastic about working in construction and other physical tasking and so once again there is a shortage of construction workers. However, in the meantime the population has grown with all the consequences following this immigration wave.
Whatever policy is followed, if growth is to occur on the basis of the same model as previously, we will need to have more immigration.
Which makes the real question not an immigration question but a question of: Does Sint Maarten want/need to grow and if so in what way?
One would imagine that the population of Sint Maarten would want to consider:
* The fact that continued growth along the same model is going to increase congestion and a reduction in attractiveness to tourists and a reduction of quality of life for residents.
* The fact that continued growth along the same model is not going to lead to employment that suits a newer generation expecting higher-paying non-physical employment.
* That to meet the demand for high-paying non-physical jobs Sint Maarten will need to diversify into targeted industries, something that will not happen without the necessary investment and focus.
* That if this newer generation cannot find these jobs on-island their skills in which we have invested will move to jurisdictions that are growing jobs of this nature.
The choices are simple conceptually but brutally tough for political-decision making. It is simply not possible in the long run to “have your cake and eat it.”
Robbie Ferron
