PHILIPSBURG — Five years ago, Arjen Alberts completed a thesis about the effect of the tourism industry on the islands of Aruba and S. Maarten. His conclusion was a clear warning to local decision makers: the tourism economies on these islands exceeded their carrying capacity and no longer show any increase in productivity. Now the same topic has hit the much larger island of Curacao, where concerns have arisen about the seemingly unlimited construction of hotels. “Up to what point do the growth of the hospitality sector really contributes to the prosperity and the wellbeing of the population?” is a…
Author: The Publisher
Sint Maarten has long been a place where vibrant cultures, diverse histories, and modern challenges intersect. Now, one of its own is stepping forward with a unique academic lens to deepen our understanding of everyday life on the island — from labor disputes to community dynamics and public policy. Dr. Clifford Alberto Enacio Illis, recently honored with a Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology from Orange County University (USA), will be contributing a regular series to StMaartenNews.com exploring the social and cultural forces shaping life here in Sint Maarten. We posed a series of questions to him to learn more about…
What began as an online flashpoint quickly evolved into one of the most substantive public conversations Sint Maarten has seen in years about labor rights in the hospitality sector. Following the publication of the editorial “Creating Poverty With Every Bill” on StMaartenNews.com, social media erupted with reactions, personal stories, and sharply divided opinions on a single, emotionally charged issue: businesses charging “service fees” while workers never see the money. The article struck a nerve precisely because it touched everyday life. Diners believed they were supporting service staff. Workers believed tips were part of their livelihood. Employers, meanwhile, often defended the…
By A StMaartenNews.com Contributor Sint Maarten does not have a specific law that meticulously distinguishes between “service charge” and “gratuity” like the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act. Instead, we must look at broader legal principles. The Civil Code and the Employment Contract The Foundation: The Sint Maarten Civil Code (Burgerlijk Wetboek) is the primary source of law governing employment relationships and contracts. Customary Practice: In the hospitality industry, it is a long-standing customary practice that tips and gratuities belong to the staff. This custom can be considered a legally binding part of your employment, even if it’s not written down.…
CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS – It almost sound too good to be true, but Nevisians are serious about it: the establishment of a Special Sustainability Zone (SSZ) on the south coast of the island, powered by a multi-million dollar investment by crypto millionaire Olivier Janssens. The project Janssens and his company South Nevis have in mind is called Destiny, described in the Financial Times as “a libertarian community with its own legal system.” Its proposed location is between Long Point Port and Indian Castle Estate. The establishment of the SSZ is made possible by a law the government in Nevis approved last…
ORANJESTAD — John ‘Poentje’ Castro was a popular Aruban journalist, but not everyone appreciated his efforts. In December 2010 the 47-year old was shot to death in the front garden of his house. The murder was never solved and seemed, almost fifteen years after the crime was committed, as good as forgotten. This inspired journalist and jurist Luis Anibal Villegas Hernandez to take action. He wants to prevent that the murder is swept under the carpet, Emiel Hakkenes reports in the Dutch newspaper Trouw. For nine years, Castro presented his program Un Dia den Bida (A Day from Life) on…
By Hilbert Haar When St. Maarten obtained its autonomous status within the Dutch kingdom in 2010 there were quite some politicians (like André Bosman and Ronald van Raak) who expressed their doubts about the wisdom of this decision and now the chicken have come home to roost. Prime Minister Luc Mercelina is on a working visit in the Netherlands, a trip that begins more and more to look like a beggar’s attempt to solve the problems he is not able to solve by himself. First, Mercelina asked for $6.5 million to renovate the main police station in Philipsburg. It is…
THE HAGUE — Prime Minister Luc Mercelina has asked Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof for temporary military support during his overseas working visit, dossierkoninkrijksrelaties.nl reports. Mercelina made the request because of the brutal robberies and other violent incidents that are plaguing the island. Mercelina attributes these incidents to organized crime. St. Maarten struggles with the fight against these crimes because the local police force is understaffed. In his vision, the deployment of soldiers ought to strengthen local authorities in attempts to enforce national and public safety. It is currently unclear whether Schoof will honor the request. “It is important that…
THE HAGUE — The government wants the Netherlands to pay for the renovation of the main police station in Philipsburg. Prime Minister Luc Mercelina has submitted a formal request for financial support to State Secretary Eddie van Marum, DossierKoninrijksrelaties.nl reports. The request is for $6.5 million. The police station has been plagued by leakages and mildew since before St. Maarten became an autonomous country in the Kingdom of the Netherlands on October 10, 2010. Mercelina said that it is difficult to recruit new officers – and to keep them in the force – because of the poor state of the…
THE HAGUE –State Secretary Eddie Van Marum has announced the establishment of a Caribbean vacancy platform. The objective is to stimulate the return of students who have completed their studies in the Netherlands to the island where they were born. Van Marum, a member of the rightwing BoerBurgerBeweging (BBB) political party, almost makes this initiative look like a good idea but when you dive deeper into the challenges Caribbean students face in the Netherlands, a different picture emerges. The platform intends to match Caribbean students and “studying talents” with job opportunities and internships on the islands. Van Marum claims that…
