PHILIPSBURG:---  MP Ardwell Irion used his time during the Central Committee meeting on May 7th, 2025, to shed light on the frustration of justice workers and the critical areas the government needs to address. His contributions centered on unmet expectations, financial transparency, jubilee entitlements, and the handling of over-functioning FTEs in the Justice Ministry.

Addressing Unmet Expectations

MP Irion emphasized the importance of rebuilding trust between the Ministry of Justice and justice workers. He pointed to unmet expectations stemming from a lack of communication and transparency over placement timelines. Irion proposed publishing departmental breakdowns of delays to provide clarity and manage expectations.

“One of the main issues you’re facing is unmet expectations,” he stated. “Justice workers need to see a clear timeline for their departments and roles. Without this, the frustration will only grow.”

He also raised the long-standing issue of justice workers still awaiting national decrees (LBs) dating back to 10.10.10, asking for details about plans to settle these longstanding cases and the total amount due to retroactive payments.

Financial Questions Surrounding Retroactive Payments

To promote greater accountability, Irion called for clarity on the financial implications of resolving outstanding payments for justice workers. He stressed the importance of incorporating these amounts into upcoming budgets, noting that some workers had already expressed concerns about their payments not being reflected in financial planning.

“What is the total retroactive payment package for all justice workers going back to 10.10.10?” he asked, urging the Ministry to provide a definitive number to alleviate speculation.

Jubilee Entitlements

MP Irion also raised concerns regarding jubilee entitlements under recently published legislation. The law, retroactively effective as of January 1st, 2024, guarantees bonuses for milestone years of service. However, Irion noted that workers without signed LBs may be excluded, despite meeting eligibility criteria.

“How many justice workers are entitled to jubilees, and will their entitlements be prioritized once their LBs are signed?” he questioned. Irion urged the Ministry to address this issue by working closely with the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister to ensure adequate budgetary provisions.

Over-Functioning FTEs and Misplaced Expectations

Irion highlighted challenges with over-functioning full-time equivalents (FTEs), where departments exceed their personnel caps yet employ individuals who were promised specific roles. He stressed the need for fairness and clear communication in reassigning workers to other departments.

“When shifting individuals to new roles, are you considering their qualifications and preferences? What happens if someone declines reassignment after being promised a particular position by previous administrations?” he asked, warning of the risks associated with promises that created unrealistic expectations.

Irion also called attention to the broader issue of individuals functioning in roles for years without formal recognition in government records, urging the Ministry to resolve these legacy issues with justice workers who were misled by outdated practices.

Moving Forward

MP Irion concluded by stressing the government’s responsibility to address these concerns systematically while maintaining fairness and transparency. His remarks underscored the need to balance meeting justice workers’ expectations with responsible financial management and operational efficiency.

“Justice workers deserve clarity, respect, and the assurance that government will fulfill its obligations to them. If we don’t rebuild this trust, the challenges will persist,” Irion stated.

His contributions added depth to the ongoing conversation, highlighting the critical steps needed to resolve justice workers’ grievances once and for all.

PHILIPSBURG:---—During the Parliament's Central Committee meeting on May 7th, 2025, MP  Sjamira Roseburg raised pressing concerns about the handling of justice workers’ placements, with a particular focus on excluded prison workers, the significance of transparent communication, and the importance of avoiding costly errors in national decrees.

Commending Minister Nathalie Tackling for her honest and straightforward presentation, MP Roseburg called for further clarification on several critical issues, including the delayed inclusion of prison workers in the placement process.

Questions Surrounding Prison Workers

MP Roseburg queried why the Pointe Blanche prison workers were not included in the earlier phases of the function book and placement process. Reflecting on issues flagged in previous discussions, the MP sought to understand whether the exclusion resulted from the absence of a valid function book or an administrative oversight. Highlighting the need for accountability, MP Roseburg urged the Ministry to address the longstanding delay and provide a clear timeline for resolving the placement of the prison’s 90+ employees.

“The exclusion of the prison workers must be explained, whether it stems from a lack of planning or a mistake,” Roseburg stated, stressing the importance of ensuring fair treatment for all justice workers.

Communication and Mediation as Solutions

MP Roseburg also applauded the introduction of an additional communication phase in the placement process, describing it as a vital tool for ensuring that justice workers are informed and empowered. They emphasized that regular communication and mediation could serve as a bridge to understanding, reducing objections and delays.

“When there’s clear communication, misunderstandings can be resolved early, saving time and energy later. Mediation between parties can also help adjust placements to reflect any changes in roles or responsibilities,” MP Roseburg explained.

Roseburg pointed out that a lack of communication in previous processes had led to frustration and prolonged objection processes, as employees were often left in the dark about their placements until receiving the final decree. This gap, they argued, could undermine trust in the system.

Avoiding Mistakes that Lead to Court Cases

Another key point of MP Roseburg’s contribution centered on issuing error-free national decrees (LBAs) to avoid unnecessary court cases. Drawing on past examples of legal disputes caused by administrative errors, they emphasized the costly implications of such mistakes for the country.

“In the past, rushed or flawed decisions have led to court cases that strain the country’s finances. We cannot afford to repeat these mistakes,” she noted.

Roseburg underscored the value of thorough validation and communication within the justice workers’ placement process to prevent future litigation. The MP called on the Ministry to ensure that all placements are fully accurate and reflective of each worker’s position and responsibilities.

Payment Schedule Concerns

MP Roseburg also sought clarification on the payment structure for justice workers, referencing an agreement from the previous administration outlining installment plans for retroactive payments based on the amount's size. Given the long-standing delays, they requested an update on whether this system was still in place and expressed concern about ensuring timely and fair payments to workers.

Moving Forward

Roseburg’s contributions reflected a commitment to justice, fairness, and transparency within the placement process. By seeking clarity and pushing for accountability, they underscored the need to balance careful decision-making with the urgency of resolving justice workers’ grievances.

In concluding their remarks, MP Roseburg reiterated the importance of respecting the time and patience of justice workers while ensuring the government upholds its responsibilities. "It’s vital we do this right. Mistakes cost more in the long run, not just financially but in trust lost among our dedicated justice workers."

MP Roseburg’s pointed questions and suggestions set the tone for continuing discussions to improve the placement and treatment of justice workers across St. Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:---  During the Parliament's Central Committee meeting on May 7th, 2025, Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling delivered a detailed presentation addressing the ongoing delays in the placement process for justice workers. Her remarks provided a candid explanation of the challenges faced by the Ministry and outlined the measures being implemented to improve transparency and efficiency in resolving long-standing issues.

Acknowledging the frustration felt by justice workers, Minister Tackling began by recognizing the historical complexity and mismanagement that have plagued the process. "This process has taken longer than expected, and I fully understand the growing frustration," she stated, emphasizing her consistent communication with both unions and justice workers throughout.

Challenges and Organizational Gaps

Minister Tackling outlined the numerous obstacles her Ministry encountered when she assumed office. She highlighted the lack of uniformity in the placement process, an absence of institutional memory due to the departure of a critical civil servant, and the resulting need for structural review and realignment.

“When I took over, I inherited a fragmented system. Processes were inconsistent across different batches, and the loss of key personnel compounded the operational challenges,” she explained. Additionally, she pointed out that the Ministry had been working off outdated personnel systems with incomplete records scattered across four different databases.

Further complicating matters was a concerning discrepancy between gross and net salaries, which, in some cases, led to unintended reductions in worker pay after placement adjustments. This issue made it clear that comprehensive validation of all placements was an urgent priority.

The Minister of Justice also noted that errors in previously issued national decrees (LBs) added layers of complexity to the process. She revealed that 20 out of 25 decrees in a recent batch were flagged by workers as containing inaccuracies or inconsistencies, a moment she described as pivotal in pausing to reevaluate the entire approach.

New Measures for Transparency and Efficiency

Minister Tackling presented a revamped approach centered on transparency and worker collaboration. To address longstanding concerns, batch validation is now being carried out in partnership with an independent consulting firm, SOAB, to ensure placements are accurate and fair.

She announced changes to the objection procedure to empower workers with more involvement earlier in the process. Justice workers will now receive draft decrees and complete files for review before finalization. This measure, she explained, will allow employees to raise objections early and reduce delays stemming from corrections submitted after decrees are formally issued.

“Justice workers deserve respect and clarity,” the Minister asserted. “This new process ensures they are heard, and their concerns are addressed systematically before any decision is finalized.”

The Ministry also plans to focus on handling justice workers by departments, with the upcoming combined batches (14 and 15) set to include all remaining workers outside the prison system. Batch 16 will exclusively cover the Pointe Blanche prison staff, a group that has received no placements despite carrying significant operational burdens.

Commitment to Accountability

Minister Tackling emphasized that the validation process and updated objection framework are essential to restore trust and accountability. She admitted the learning curve involved, but underscored the importance of getting it right the first time to prevent further delays or dissatisfaction.

"We cannot afford to rush ahead only to create more confusion and errors. Every step needs to align to deliver justice to our justice workers," she remarked.

Addressing Parliament, the Minister acknowledged the public frustration surrounding her Ministry's performance but reaffirmed her commitment to transparency, fairness, and efficiency. "This has been a long and complex process, but we owe it to our workers to ensure these placements are correct, transparent, and reflective of their service."

Moving Forward

Moving into the final phases, Minister Tackling assured that the Ministry of Justice remains committed to resolving justice workers’ grievances comprehensively. She highlighted that, to date, nearly 6.4 million guiders in retroactive payments had been disbursed to workers, and more are expected as batches are finalized.

The new measures, she hopes, will minimize further delays and missteps while addressing the structural challenges inherited from previous administrations. Her closing message was a call for patience and understanding as the Ministry continues its efforts to streamline the process and deliver overdue justice to its employees.

PHILIPSBURG:---  During the Central Committee meeting of Parliament on May 7th, 2025, Member of Parliament (MP) Darryl York raised critical questions and highlighted significant challenges facing the justice workers of St. Maarten. His contributions to the discussion focused on the importance of transparency, the procedural changes affecting the processing of national decrees (LBAs), and the pressing need to address issues within the prison system.

York began by questioning the reasons behind changes in the procedural approach to handling LBs. He asked whether the processes from batches 1 through 6, which reportedly had fewer issues, differed from those of batches 7 through 12. “If the earlier procedures worked well, why were they not continued? If changes were made midway, were they necessary, and are they now being corrected?” he queried. This line of questioning highlighted York’s focus on refining current approaches and understanding the history of previous systems.

Concern for Prison Workers

One of MP York’s primary concerns was the lack of progress with LBs for prison workers. He noted that no justice worker from the prison has received an LB. Highlighting these workers' challenging working conditions and long-standing issues, York was unequivocal in pressing the Minister of Justice, Nathalie Tackling, for answers.

“Why, after all this time, have the prison workers remained an afterthought?” he asked, adding that leaving an entire department unaddressed raises troubling questions about prioritization and management. Pressing for clarity, York sought to confirm whether the prison workers are included in future batches and what specific plans the ministry has to resolve their placement and payment issues efficiently.

A Call for Clarity and Accountability

Echoing similar concerns raised by his colleagues, MP York emphasized the growing distrust among justice workers and the public due to perceived delays, errors, and a lack of clear communication from the Ministry. He warned of the consequences of inadequate transparency, suggesting that justice workers need more than vague assurances about their pending LBs.

“Clear and straightforward communication is paramount,” York said, urging the Minister to be more proactive in informing workers of developments, timelines, and the reasons behind delays. He recommended that the Ministry offer justice workers a timeline they can track to understand better when they might expect results, thereby quelling some of the frustration.

Transparency in Future Procedures

York expressed reservations about the newly restructured process for handling LBs, pointing out that the multi-step procedure may inadvertently create more bottlenecks. He inquired about the minister’s role in the new structure, asking whether her input would be too limited to expedite solutions. “If the process involves additional committees and layers of advice, would it not risk creating more red tape rather than promoting efficiency?” he asked, signaling his concern that streamlining efforts might not have the desired effect.

York also pushed for further clarity on how the rights of justice workers would be safeguarded under this procedure. He sought an explanation of how binding the advice of objection committees would be and whether workers would feel their objections are truly being heard and resolved in an equitable manner.

Tone of Constructive Accountability

Throughout his statements, MP York stressed the importance of constructive accountability. His incisive questioning reflected a desire to improve outcomes for justice workers while addressing long-standing inefficiencies. While critical at times, York’s approach remained focused on collaboration and seeking solutions that would restore faith in the process.

He closed by offering measured advice to the Minister of Justice, particularly emphasizing that words matter in creating perception. He urged the Minister to clear up any misconceptions about past mistakes and objections, warning that failure to address these perceptions could negatively affect trust in the ministry.

Empowering Justice Workers

MP York’s contributions reflected a commitment to empowering justice workers and ensuring their grievances are resolved through transparent and just processes. His advocacy for clear communication and fair procedures underscored the pressing need for institutional trust and accountability in addressing the plight of justice workers.

His remarks serve as a reminder that while the challenges facing the Ministry of Justice are complex, solutions must prioritize effective communication, transparency, and timely action to meet worker and public expectations alike.