SINT MAARTEN/THE NETHERLANDS – Three money transfer offices in Amsterdam were hit by explosions on Tuesday night in what police are treating as a series of co-ordinated attacks.

The three branches of Suri-Change, used mainly by Surinamese migrants, were all targeted at around 3am. Police said nobody was injured but the damage was extensive and investigations are ongoing to establish if anything was stolen.

The offices were in Jan Evertsenstraat in the West district, the Eerste van Swindenstraat in East and the Bijlmerdreef in South-East.

Two months ago police raided the head office of Suri-Change in Rotterdam and arrested the 73-year-old owner and his two sons, aged 49 and 45.

Police believe the nine branch offices were being used to launder millions of euros of profits from international drug smuggling. They also impounded 42 properties with a total value of €25 million.

(DutchNews)

SINT MAARTEN/THE NETHERLANDS – The national ombudsman and national socio-cultural advisory body SCP have both called on the government to listen better to ordinary citizens.

Ombudsman Reinier van Zutphen said in his annual report that talking to people can sometimes result in surprisingly simple solutions for problems, as well as aiding financial and emotional recovery.

People often feel no one is listening to them and that they are not being taken seriously, he said. In addition, many people want their voices to be heard at other times, not just during elections.

“Participation can only be successful if people actually have a say and influence,’ he said. “We will continue to monitor how citizens are involved, in particular in areas where ‘participation’ is being used to paper over the cracks.”

The ombudsman’s report coincided with the publication of new recommendations from the SCP which also called on ministers to listen better to the people.

In particular, referenda and citizens’ committees representing a wide range of interests could be used to close the gap between politicians and the electorate, and make sure more opinions are heard, the SCP said.

The SCP said in April that the negative mood in the Netherlands worsened considerably last year, with the percentage of people thinking society is heading in the wrong direction rising from 46% in the spring to 62% by the autumn.

The percentage of people expecting the economy to worsen also rose from 63% to 73%, the SCP said, quoting figures from its continuous survey of public perspectives.

At the same time, however, 85% say they are satisfied with their own lives, a figure which has not changed for several years.

(DutchNews)

SINT MAARTEN (BELAIR) - The highly anticipated second annual international Padel Tennis Open, organized by the SXM Padel Club, is set to take place from Thursday, June 15th, 2023, to Sunday, June 18th, 2023. This exhilarating tournament will feature three categories: Ladies all levels, Men's Advanced, and Men's Intermediate, showcasing some great Padel tennis talents from around the world.

With over 30 teams expected to participate, the event promises an incredible display of skill and competition. Players hailing from Argentina, France, Curacao, Guadeloupe, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Spain, St. Martin, and St. Maarten will converge at the SXM Padel Club, adding an international flair to the tournament and demonstrating the global appeal of Padel tennis.

The matches will commence on Thursday, June 15th, at 6 pm, and will culminate in the highly anticipated final on Sunday, June 18th, at 7 pm. Spectators are invited to attend this thrilling event throughout the weekend, with admission completely free of charge. It's an excellent opportunity for sports enthusiasts and curious onlookers to witness world-class Padel tennis matches and experience the excitement firsthand.

Mr. Alex Swartz, a highly regarded local Padel tennis coach and Lucas Ferreyra from Argentina, will oversee the tournament ensuring the smooth operation of the event and maintaining the highest standards of competition. Their expertise and dedication to the sport guarantee a memorable experience for players and spectators alike.

The SXM Padel Club is grateful for the support of its main sponsors, Les Galets and Aloha Beach Bar and Restaurant, whose contributions have been instrumental in elevating the tournament. The Men's Advanced category will offer attractive cash prizes, with $1,200 awarded to the first-place team, $500 to the second-place team, and $300 to the third-place team. Additionally, participants in other categories will have the chance to win enticing prizes, including hotel stays and brunch vouchers from the esteemed Oyster Bay Beach Resort and Infinity Restaurant.  In addition, VIBOR-A USA managing director Santiago Garcia once again will be showcasing their high-quality line of products and giving accessories to the tournament participants.

Notably, the island now boasts a total of 8 Padel Tennis courts, the highest number of any other island in the Caribbean. This has positioned the SXM Padel Club as a leading destination for Padel tennis, promoting sports tourism and attracting visitors year-round, even during the off-season. The club, which opened its doors in December of 2021, also serves as the exclusive distributor of Padel 10 brand courts for the Caribbean. Padel 10, a globally recognized court manufacturer based in Barcelona, Spain is one of the leading companies in the industry.

Don't miss the opportunity to witness the electrifying action of the second annual international Padel Tennis Open. Join us at the SXM Padel Club from June 15th to June 18th for an unforgettable celebration of this rapidly growing sport.

 The SXM Padel Club opened its doors in December 2021 the club is committed to promoting the growth and popularity of Padel tennis in the region.

SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) - The five healthcare organizations and the 3 unions on the BES islands want to establish one joint CLA for the health Care organization within the BES. During the three-day meeting that took place in mid-May, Fundashon Mariadal, Sint Eustatius Health Care Foundation, Sint Eustatius Auxiliary Home, Mental Health Caribbean and Saba Cares, with the unions AFBW, All for 1 and SUPLUA, agreed to harmonize (primary) labor conditions, so that from now on equal work, is rewarded equally.

The meeting took place on Sint Maarten and will be continued in September this year. Parties will then make concrete agreements regarding the new CLA: the CLA Health Care BES, that will be applicable (initially) for the five health Care organizations and their respective employees.

With the harmonization, the most important primary employment conditions have been brought into line with the two existing, however still separate, CLA’s of Fundashon Mariadal and the healthcare organizations on Saba and St. Eustatius. Parties have established the ambition with the new CLA Health Care BES.

In addition, the structure of the new joint CLA has been formalized. Next to equal primary employment conditions regardless of where work is done on the BES, the structure also offers space for arranging island-specific aspects. The CLA- parties have also agreed to set up a technical committee. The members of the technical committee will work closely together in the coming months on the content of the CLA Health Care BES so that negotiations can take place in September.

Together we are stronger

The meetings, where a direct follow-up of the conference “Together we are stronger” held on St. Maarten in July 2022. In that conference, the parties established that the personnel and labor market issues facing each island can only be addressed effectively together. Healthcare organizations are experiencing increasing pressure from personnel shortage.

This affects the quality and continuity of care and underlines the urgency to take joint steps. The harmonization of the (primary) employment conditions at the five healthcare organizations is an important step forward. It gives a boost to mobility, making working on Saba and Sint Eustatius more attractive and counteracts competition among parties.

Ambition

The CLA parties want to take the next step in September; one joint CLA for all five healthcare organizations and their employees. Parties do this on the basis of a joint ambition they have with the joint CLA Health CARE BES. The Government Coalition Agreement 2021 – 2025 (A better future for the entire Kingdom) provides parties with an important starting point.

Equality and mutuality are key points, including the aim to make Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius an equal part of the Netherlands. In this context, the joint CLA Health Care BES must specifically contribute to the ability to continue to provide high-quality care to residents of the BES. Now and in the coming years.

This is done by personnel who are (and remain) well-trained, with a CLA that has good, competitive employment conditions and contributes to the sustainable employability of the employees.

Regarding the level of employment conditions, parties focus on the CLA’s in European Netherlands and in particular the CLA for Hospitals, Mental Health and home care.