Work permits to be
issued for two years
PHILIPSBURG/St. Maarten--The Island Labour Department has been instructed to issue employment permits for a period of two years or more for requests that meet the criteria, with immediate effect, Commissioner Louie Laveist announced Wednesday.
Laveist said the decision had been taken in an effort to wipe out the cumbersome process encountered by businesses and applicants in applying for permits that expired after a year.
He said the decision had been taken after consultations with businesspersons and the Labour Department over the past few months. “After those meetings and in collaboration and in consultation with the Department, it has been established that directives will be given to the Departments via me on behalf of the Executive Council to start, with immediate effect, issuing work permits that are based on the criteria,” Laveist said.
“Once they meet the criteria and based on their merit, those permits will be granted for a minimum of two years. … It will alleviate much of the red tape, stress and strain of reapplying or renewing of the permits every year – sometimes it boils down to every six months – because once the permit is on the verge of expiring the employer has to resubmit a request for renewal.
“We are of the opinion that by taking this approach much of the problematic area will be addressed and hopefully this can be appreciated by the business sector applicants and the employees who will have much less strain on their hands.”
St Maarten vacation rental
