Dear Editor,
“Mister Russell, who is the biggest employer besides government here in St. Maarten?” My straight answer was I don’t know.
“Mister Russell you have contacts, can’t you find out?” My response was, “Did you try to find out the correct way, or via the correct channels”
“What you mean?”
“Go to government and find out if the public has rights to find out via government which company has the biggest amount of employees on St. Maarten.”
“Because then I would go to that company and ask for a job.”
I understood the logic in what he was saying and thought this guy is using common sense. He paused then he said: “You are the one who gave me that idea, because of what was in one of those letters that you wrote to the editor concerning nationals being in the minority.”
“I would like to go by one of those companies, for instance Motorworld, and apply for a job. I was born here so if they need permission to employ foreigners they will not be able to say they can’t find locals.”
“The labour department will have to decide in this case, because I don't have a criminal record and I am willing to adapt.”
I listened to that young man and I understand his logic. Even though this is not the first time that I was confronted by locals looking for a job.
Not today, one of the most used accusations was “locals are lazy” and because of that well-known quote where money passes. I explained to that young man that he should find someone who can help him with the labour laws and with the immigration policy for employing foreigners as opposed to nationals.
He thanked me promised to let me know how things worked out for him.
Russell A. Simmons
