Commends Stakeholders, Recalls Pivotal Role at Geneva Conference, and Reaffirms Commitment to Worker’s Rights
Philipsburg, – Member of Parliament Veronica Jansen-Webster expresses profound joy and heartfelt gratitude following the positive developments regarding St. Maarten’s status with the International Labour
“This is incredible news for St. Maarten,” said MP Jansen-Webster. “It reflects the collective effort and commitment of many individuals and institutions who worked tirelessly to bring the country into better alignment with international labor standards.”
As former Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Jansen-Webster played a key role in advancing St. Maarten’s case. In 2024, she travelled with her delegation to Geneva, Switzerland to participate in the 112th session of the ILO which was a critical moment as St. Maarten was summoned before the Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS) to respond to two complaints.
The first complaint addressed ambiguity surrounding workers’ right to strike, while the second and more complex issue involved the lack of clear identification of legitimate employer organizations, which delayed appointments to the Social Economic Council (SER) for over a year.
Minister Jansen-Webster’s in-person presentation before the CAS was instrumental. The Director of the Committee, Mrs. Corinne Vargha, personally thanked her for her presence and her clear and thoughtful explanation of St. Maarten’s situation. Support from Aruba’s delegation also strengthened the island’s position during the conference.
“This was not a solo effort,” emphasized MP Jansen-Webster. “I extend my sincere thanks to my dedicated delegation: Joy Arnel,Linda Froston and Stevie Constantin, who stood firmly with me in defense of St. Maarten. Their contributions were critical to the success we’ve achieved.”
This achievement builds on the foundation laid by former Minister of VSA and now MP Omar Ottley, whose Cabinet worked on the reforms. “This outcome reflects the importance of leadership continuity,” MP Jansen-Webster said.
During the conference, Minister Jansen-Webster also held productive meetings with Dutch Ambassador Paul Bekkers and Netherlands Minister of Labor Karien van Gennip, resulting in concrete recommendations to ensure Sint Maarten’s compliance with international labor obligations.
MP Jansen-Webster remains committed to advancing labor rights in St. Maarten, with a focus on ensuring that workers’ rights are consistently upheld and that progress continues in the years ahead.
