Dear Editor,
I can still remember the words “You’re overqualified” being said to me when I first entered the job-market on this little island called St. Maarten. I have worked in Aruba in the past, and I have never had these words ever spoken to me. But St. Maarten in comparison to the other islands, referring to the other five islands which were the former Netherland Antilles, seems to be different.
I soon discovered the trick behind this way of expression, especially coming from the Indian merchants, that it was a way of gently saying; “We don’t want to employ you, you’re a local and you’re not welcome here.” Foreigners, whether they are qualified or unqualified, or even much better as undocumented illegals, are received with open arms and immediately employed.
Dear editor, I do not have a problem with people from abroad coming here to find work. People are moving or emigrating all over the world in search of a better life. But every nation will put its own people first. If I am not mistaken, according to the law, employers must accept and employ a certain amount of local workers.
Dear editor, there are two pending issues when it comes to employment of locals on this island. For a long time this has been the continual outcry over and over again. And up to date no government has ever taken the time to resolve this problem.
These issues are: locals getting a fair chance of finding employment, and, secondly, to put an end to continual short-term contracts.
With this in mind dear editor, I do not blame the foreign employers, because the root cause of this problem lies in the hands of those in authority, who need to see to it that all employers or investors must respect our labor laws when it comes to hiring or employing workers. If this is not done then all opportunity, as to do as they want, will be given to employers, in reference to not employing locals.
I do thank Minister of Public Health, Labor and Social Affairs Gordon-Carty for standing up for the locals. Her proposition was opposed by the SHTA and, of course, the Indian Merchants Association, which led to a hot topic of discussion all the way to Parliament. But to Minister Gordon-Carty, on behalf of all locals, I would say, “Thank you. Whether some might consider it right or wrong, at least you are setting an example for a long-awaited hope for us locals. An example that others have never followed.”
To the reaction of the SHTA’s opinion of not accepting the new policy of employing more locals, where they are of the opinion that employers will then hire less and investors will invest less, is in my opinion an excuse to keep on hiring more foreigners than locals. Foreigners, because they come from poor or less-developed countries, can easily be underpaid, overworked, abused, taken advantage of, and are afraid to stand up for their rights.
The issue, dear editor, of not wanting to hire or employ locals has become like a cancer that began to grow undetected, and continued to grow until it has spread throughout the whole body, creating now a sense of hopelessness of survival for the individual.
Dear editor, that’s how I see the opportunity for locals on this island, as well as for their future generation. This is the reason many locals who go abroad to study, after they have finished or completed their studies think it hard to come back to this island. There are many who have returned, but because of not receiving a fair chance, or being sent to and fro, have decided to take up residence in a foreign country where they are welcome.
Dear editor, I don’t have confidence that this situation will ever change.
Dear editor, election season is long gone. During the campaigns many promises, including for our youths, have been made. The campaigns are now over. The promises will be put on the back burner again, until another election and campaign season sets in.
In either way, a new government is taking over. Our local youths here and abroad are finishing their studies, and getting ready to enter the job market. So, I am waiting to see a change for our future young locals.
Concerned citizen
Name withheld at author’s request.
