Dear Editor,
This open letter is written to expose a disturbing and undeniable double standard in how justice, advocacy, and protection are applied within the Government of St. Maarten.
A young, locally trained epidemiologist returned home to serve her country through the Ministry of VSA. While performing her duties, she was subjected to sexual harassment in the workplace.
She reported the incident. She followed protocol. She acted with courage and integrity.
What did she receive in return? Silence. Inaction. Abandon-ment.
To this day, the Minister of VSA and the Office of the Prime Minister have failed to properly resolve her sexual harassment complaint or protect her as a civil servant. No urgency. No public defence. No visible effort to ensure her safety, dignity, or career.
At the same time, Minister Brug has chosen to invest significant political energy, public advocacy, and determination into fighting for the return of his Chief of Staff to the workplace after the Prime Minister explicitly stated that this individual is not permitted to enter government buildings due to serious concerns. Let that contrast sink in.
Minister Brug is actively fighting to reinstate his Chief of Staff, making public statements and challenging the Prime Minister yet refusing to fight with the same vigor for a young St. Maarten epidemiologist whose contract was due to be made permanent and whose only “offence” was reporting sexual harassment.
When it comes to his Chief of Staff, Minister Brug finds his voice.
When it comes to a young woman facing workplace harassment, he finds excuses.
This epidemiologist’s contract was expected to be converted to a permanent appointment. That did not happen. Not because of a lack of qualifications. Not because of poor performance. But after she spoke up. This is retaliation by neglect.
The message is painfully clear: political loyalty is worth fighting for; professional integrity is not.
Prime Minister Mercelina, as the authority responsible for government personnel, has also failed to act decisively. While restrictions are enforced swiftly against some, protection and justice are conveniently delayed or denied altogether for others.
This selective application of authority and justice is dangerous. It tells every young professional, especially women, that their safety is negotiable and their careers disposable.
St. Maarten cannot claim to value good governance, integrity, or women in leadership while allowing a sexual harassment complaint to be ignored and a victim to be professionally sidelined especially when the same leaders demonstrate exactly how forcefully they can act when it suits them.
Law for one must mean law for all. Advocacy for one must mean advocacy for all.
If Minister Brug can fight relentlessly for his Chief of Staff to return to work, he can and should fight just as hard to make a qualified, local epidemiologist permanent and to ensure she receives justice. Anything less is hypocrisy.
The country is watching. Young professionals are watching. And history will remember who was defended and who was discarded.
Alfred A Bryan
