PHILIPSBURG–National Alliance (NA) says it “remains concerned” about the perceived high rate of unemployment as a result of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, although the actual figures from the Labour Department presented a total of only 121 registered unemployed persons.
The opposition party in Parliament noted in a press statement that it also has “grave concern” about the shortage of labour inspectors as shared by Labour Minister Emil Lee in Wednesday’s meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament about a policy on expedited work permits for foreign construction workers.
The reported low number of registered unemployed persons seems inconsistent with reported business closures, especially in the hospitality and related sectors, and the perception that large numbers of St. Maarteners are out of work, said NA.
Some 76 foreign skilled construction workers have been granted specially-expedited permits to work here in reconstruction projects.
NA called on unemployed people to register at the Labour Department as soon as possible. Construction companies are encouraged to register their need for construction workers and to make use of the expedited permit policy.
NA said in a press statement that it agrees that more skilled construction workers may be needed to jump-start the recovery process, but Lee confirmed that there were no reliable statistics confirming such nor have any construction companies registered as needing skilled workers. Only one of the registered unemployed persons was seeking work in the construction sector.
Lee has to return to Parliament in the coming days to give answers about the types of jobs sought by those who are unemployed and the number of those interested in a construction-related course to be offer at the National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA). The resignation drive took place on the two days after the first round of the meeting.
NA also awaits answers from Lee about guarantees that foreign workers will leave the country when their permits expire, among other things. The shortage of labour inspectors poses a problem in this regard, as well as collaboration with and manpower within the Justice Ministry.
Housing provisions for foreign workers and the effects on housing prices and residents seeking homes are also concerns of NA, as is the social-economic impact on the society should more requests result in hundreds of construction workers flooding the country and authorities be unable to properly regulate their return.
According to the policy, workers would be registered here, taxed and would have to live up to the other criteria, including having medical insurance.
NA leader Member of Parliament Silveria Jacobs called for involved government departments to gather background information and qualifications of the workers to map the types of people allowed to live and work here.
Jacobs queried whether students who were sent to study construction in Trinidad and those following courses here were contracted to fill the sector needs.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/78147-alliance-remains-concerned-about-perceived-high-unemployment-rate-2
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