SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - In the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, a story of considerable impact might have gotten lost, Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot Williams said on Wednesday in a press statement.
“Nevertheless -if accurate- the implications will be huge for a large amount of families and individuals on St. Maarten. The story in question relates to the downsizing of our local telephone company Telem,” the Democratic Party (DP) Leader, MP Wescot stated on Wednesday.
“It must be noted that several years ago, the local telephone company already went through a painstaking exercise to reduce its operational cost, primarily in the personnel sector. Painstaking, because much caution was taken to ensure that persons were treated fairly, and several were given the opportunity to make a new start in their field of interest.
“At the time, there was also talk of a partnership venture, which did not materialize”, the DP leader explained, who in her capacity of shareholder representative at the time was closely involved with this process in Telem.
“The numbers I hear today however are reason for concern. If accurate, the downsizing will take the personnel numbers from 140 to 65. This is a more than a 50% cut in operation. What is lamentable is that notwithstanding repeated queries from members of parliament, this looming scenario was never disclosed by the Prime Minister.”
The shareholder, the government of St. Maarten never released that the company was in such dire financial straits that it warranted what is now apparently being pursued, the DP leader continued.
“While it is noted that the current downsizing is being done in consultation with the Union, it is in my view something that should not be pursued without shareholder’s insight, input, guidance and approval.”
This measure if enforced, is one of the biggest yet in a government company on St. Maarten.
Is it warranted?
“That is difficult to say, as the financial considerations that form the basis of this undertaking have not been made public and have not been shared with the parliament of St. Maarten.”
The MP anticipates that the NA/UPP government’s response to this observation will be that the telecom industry is a highly competitive one and thus confidentiality of company’s information is warranted.
“Be that as it may, it is currently out there that this downsizing has been proposed and the entire exercise deserves meticulous scrutiny from the ultimate shareholder, the government of St. Maarten,” concluded MP Wescot.
https://www.soualiganewsday.com/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_k2%26amp%3Bview%3Ditem%26amp%3Bid%3D53510%3Adp-telem%E2%80%99s-restructuring-needs-the-urgent-attention-of-the-government%26amp%3BItemid%3D450
