Extraordinary times call for extraordinary actions. The government of France is making 45 billion euros available to deal with the effects of the coronavirus. It would have been prudent and humane to allow the 14 African countries who are paying the French colonial tax to keep these funds to mitigate their own financial challenges attributed to this outbreak. We are talking about $550 billion that is taken out of these countries on an annual basis.

  The United Kingdom is providing 12 billion euros for similar situation.

  Our Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs said that the corona outbreak could impact St. Maarten worse than Hurricane Irma. This is very sobering news indeed. After the passing of Hurricane Irma insurance pay-outs helped businesses and persons who were insured, others used their savings, banks gave delayed mortgage and other payments to qualified businesses and or individuals. But this COVID19 falls under a completely different category.

  In my opinion, because of this dilemma where the budget is concerned, St. Maarten should not have to adhere to the entire article 100.2 of the Constitution which states, and I quote, “The annual budget and the long-term budget shall be balanced. If necessary in connection with the recovery of damage caused by exceptional events, including natural disasters, departures from the first sentence are possible in accordance with rules issued pursuant to a Kingdom Act or national ordinance.”

  It is no doubt that we are going to face serious financial consequences caused by COVID19, being that some 80 per cent of our income is tourism-based. The drastic drop in airlift, cruise tourism, our main economy drivers, are already being affected. Economic activities have been seriously disrupted.

  The reason for mentioning article 100.2 of the budget not being complied with has to do with the following: It will mean urgent financial expenditures that will have to be made by St. Maarten’s government on short notice will require based on this article the approval of the Kingdom Council of Ministers; it will mean complying with article 25 of the Kingdom Law to establish the Committee for Financial Supervision which means we have to get permission from the Kingdom Council of Ministers before incurring a budget deficit. This method will be a serious obstacle to government carrying out her social responsibilities as outlined in articles 18 to 21 of the Constitution.

  The Kingdom Charter, although applicable to all 4 countries, gives the Netherlands the authority to take unilateral and final decisions regardless of the consequences to St. Maarten and its residents. The process laid down in the Kingdom Charter articles 15 to 22 are a clear indication of such. The present experience with the Dutch-imposed condition of the World Bank is proof enough.

  This is no time for setting conditions or following laws that put the lives of our people at risk. I am not confident based on our present experience after the passing of Hurricane Irma in 2017 that the Dutch government will have a change of heart. While they might say they are facing similar or worse consequences, they have a surplus and we don’t. Conditions are attached to the 50 million liquidity funds. This COVID19 is not only a healthcare cost but it is affecting every aspect of society.

  President Trump said that they will have to help the airlines and the citizens with a relief package. The Federal Reserve has cut interests rates on several occasions within the last month. In essence the entire world will face serious financial, social and economic challenges.

  I am pleased that our Prime Minister has made contact with stakeholders. I am sure the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten, the Banker’s Associations of both islands, the Chambers of Commerce, foundations, unions, the Prime Ministers of the Dutch Caribbean countries and the Ministers of Finance and Economic Affairs of the countries are holding frequent meetings to address this disaster. It should be a collective effort.

  Again, please follow the prescribed instructions given by our Prime Minister because these are based on information from local, regional and international experts.

George Pantophlet

It is logical that there is a socio-economic fallout due to the COVID-19 virus. Not too long ago, wars fought in faraway spots had little or no effects on the daily lives of other nations large or small. Terrorism, cybercrime, germ-warfare is the new reality we face. These are man-made disasters. St. Maarten has risen time and time again following many devastating natural disasters. We can use our collective experiences in this regard once again to emerge healthier and stronger. Parliament can keep asking many questions. We need concrete actions now.

  We are once again faced with massive un-/under-employment issues. Private organizations look at government for leadership and as a facilitator to mitigate the inevitable economic downturn. We can overcome this uncertain period short- to mid-term if we act now.

  Trust fund monies are used for all sorts of projects. Funds were rightfully invested in the one-time Emergency Income Support and Training project. It merits reactivating this program on short term.

  A more sustainable and structural scheme or “safety net” is needed going forward to temporarily assist the expected large amount of layoffs. This is the “Un-employment fund regulation”. To date, we still do not have in place an unemployment benefit support system. This scheme remains vacant under our present laws.

  Parliament must present, debate and enact at least one initiative law by means of a short legislative (spoed procedure) process in consultation with labor unions and employers organizations. Following Hurricane Irma, we urged for an unemployment benefit law be considered and introduced.

  This new law will help mitigate the financial burden of businesses now and in the future, while keeping our fragile economy on the rail track. Slower, yet moving.

  Additionally, government must execute post-haste almost 3 years after Hurricane Irma devastated our island, the 15 to 25 million dollars promised by previous governments, never delivered Trust Fund small business support.

  Saba is an example how this much- needed aid to businesses on St. Maarten that qualify can be provided fast and in a transparent manner. No need to reinvent the wheel, we can improve it.

  While most of our beautiful island will be slowed down, collectively, Government, including Parliament, both of whom still collect a full salary of 10,000 dollars a month, can jump-start a two-month (2-month) island-wide clean-up campaign facing our upcoming hurricane season. Parliament, including opposition, must set political differences aside for the sake of the well-being of all our people and business that are good corporate citizens.

  There’s so much debris left on rooftops all over including in Philipsburg. Thousands of car wrecks on the roadsides and on private properties. Regrettably our nation is littered with beer bottles, soda cans and other trash outside grocery stores and everywhere else.

  Link One continues to be a constant eyesore and health hazard.

  Lack of mobile toilets for taxi-/bus-drivers and others (some taking a leak in plain sight) increases the health hazards. Before the clean-up campaign concludes, that includes recycle bins, Parliament must have in place an updated National Decree to fine violators who insist on littering our beautiful island.

  Four years ago we made a statement that stands to this day, Quote: “Economic standstill, apathy, fear – perceived or real – are no options because it makes the lives of our citizens even more difficult, especially in uncertain times.” Unquote.

  There’s always a silver lining at the end of dark clouds. “Regeren is vooruitzien” is a popular Dutch saying.

  We shall overcome this period as well, and emerge as a cleaner and healthier St. Maarten if we have the vision and courage to act expeditiously and if we care.

Gracita Arrindell

Leader, People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA)

Countries all over the world have announced unprecedented measures to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus for businesses, citizens and the economy as a whole. The United States has announced a stimulus plan of one trillion US dollars, the Netherlands has implemented measures to take over up to 90 per cent of the payroll obligations for three months of businesses in immediate financial difficulties, possibility of postponement of tax obligations, et cetera.

  As of March 17, 2020, 23:59, all non-essential businesses have to remain closed on St. Maarten. As of this weekend, no tourist will be on-island. It is uncertain when planes can land and cruise ships can berth again. It may take weeks, but it seems more likely that it will take months before the economy will be running again.

  Employers and employees face an unprecedented uncertain future. We have been receiving many questions from employers on how to deal with the situation to ensure survival of the company and job security. Companies will not be able to comply with their tax, payroll and other obligations for months if they are forced to stay closed.

  Surely, these measures of closing businesses had to be taken to limit the spread of the virus, and to “flatten the curve”. However, these measures cannot be taken if government does not present a stimulus plan to save the economy and ensure that employers whose businesses are closed can continue to pay salaries, so people receive their income to pay rents, mortgages and buy groceries.

  We hope and trust that government together with the Central Bank are working on a stimulus plan that is in place before the end of this month. Businesses and citizens need to know now that government has got their backs. Otherwise, the economic fallout of this corona-crisis will have a lasting impact on St. Maarten, with numerous bankruptcies, unemployment, social unrest, increase in crime, et cetera. This crisis has the potential to be far worse than [Hurricane – Ed.] Irma. After Irma, insurance companies helped saving the economy, but it is doubtful whether this is an insurable event.

  We also call on the Netherlands and the World Bank to be practical with the trust fund. 550 million euros are in this fund. Allegedly, less than 10 per cent has actually been spent, 2½ years after Irma. While this is a disgrace and insult to the people on St. Maarten, the World Bank can redeem itself by ensuring that 200 million euros is pumped into the economy in the months to come. That still leaves over 250 million euros left in the fund to spend on roofs, the hospital, and the dump, among other things.

  This is no time for eternal discussions and going back and forth, it is time to act. Now.

BZSE Attorneys-at-law

The declaration by the World Health Organization that the outbreak of the COVID19 is a pandemic tells the world that we have a common enemy by the name of the Coronavirus. The word “pandemic”, according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, means “widespread outbreak of disease”. In other words, it has spread to almost every country in the world.

If you take away the letters dem from pandemic, you get the word panic which by definition means “sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety often causing wildly unthinkable behavior” and this not where we want to be. It is extremely important that we don’t start the blame game, as this will not solve this very serious challenge.

People are panicking everywhere and unfortunately it is often a human reaction to something over which we have no control. I have seen photos of shelves in the U.S. and Europe where they are empty as it regards products needed to protect ourselves against this disease. Here on St. Maarten it is the same in some cases, especially when persons start hoarding. What is unfortunate is that some businesses and individuals use this opportunity to take advantage of the public and therefore I am pleased with the steps government took to address this unscrupulous behavior.

It is panic which creates chaos and this exasperates the problem. There is enough information available based on our interconnectedness where technology is concerned. Our health care professionals and other related organizations are doing a tremendous job to prevent and, if necessary, combat and contain this virus, and should be commended. And every cooperation should be given to make their jobs as easy as possible.

We have a common enemy that must be defeated. This virus does not discriminate. We have heard of the Prime Minister of Canada Mr. Trudeau, senators and mayors from the United States and other countries who have quarantined themselves in order to protect others. I don’t want to simplify this challenge but we must work together.

We are hearing reports that the economic impact will be worse than the 2008 global economic crisis. Some even go as far back as the “Great Depression” of the 1930s. But in the words of the late President of the US at the time Franklin D Roosevelt who said, and I quote, “So, let me first of all assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself, nameless, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”

Let me end with this Bible scripture taken from the Book of Psalms 91:1-2, which states as follows: He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty, I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God. In Him will I trust.”

George Pantophlet