SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labour, Richinel Brug through the Department of Labour proudly announces the launch of its “Know Your Rights” campaign, a public awareness initiative aimed at strengthening the understanding of labour laws, promoting fair workplace practices and encouraging compliance across St. Maarten.

This campaign comes in response to ongoing concerns regarding misunderstandings of employee rights and employer obligations. Through clear, accessible information, the Department seeks to ensure that both workers and employers are equipped with the knowledge needed to foster safe, fair, and productive working environments.

The “Know Your Rights” campaign will focus on key areas including:

• Employee rights related to wages, working hours, and leave entitlements
• Employer obligations under applicable labour laws
• Procedures for reporting workplace grievances and disputes
• Guidance on sick leave, occupational safety, and workplace protections

As part of the initiative, the Department will roll out a series of public service announcements in English, Spanish and Creole, and digital content in the form of video skits in the languages mentioned on governments social media platform.

As part of the campaign interviews will also be done with Country St. Maarten Labour Mediator and Department of Labour department head as these two entities play an important role in the rights of the worker and employer.

“An informed workforce is a protected workforce,” said Minister Brug. “This campaign is about empowering individuals with the knowledge they need to stand up for their rights while also supporting employers in meeting their legal responsibilities.”

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) informs the public that intensified controls are currently being carried out in and around the Festival Village, both before, during, and after scheduled shows and events.

These actions are part of ongoing efforts to ensure general public safety and to maintain proper traffic flow in the area during this busy period. Patrol officers are actively conducting checks aimed at preventing incidents and promoting a safe environment for all visitors.

As part of these operations, officers are carrying out preventative searches specifically aimed at detecting and preventing the possession of illegal narcotics and firearms.

During one of the recent control operations, officers stopped and searched a total of 30 individuals, while 12 vehicles were also inspected.

KPSM is urging the general public to cooperate fully with officers during these controls. These measures are in place for the safety of everyone and will continue in the coming days in and around the Festival Village.

The Police Force thanks the community for its understanding and cooperation.

ARUBA (ORANJESTAD) – The Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA) convened its annual Ministerial Conference in Aruba, bringing together political leaders and senior representatives from across the OCTs to discuss the future direction of OCTA and its partnership with the European Union (EU).

The meeting was opened by OCTA Chair and Prime Minister of Aruba, Mike Eman, who emphasized the importance of a strong, unified OCTA. He highlighted the organization’s strategic role in maintaining close engagement with the European Union and underscored the shared responsibility of OCTs as Europe’s frontline presence across the Caribbean, Pacific and Artic regions.

A central focus of the conference was the need to strengthen OCTA’s institutional capacity, governance, and financial sustainability. Delegations emphasized improving coordination, accessibility for smaller administrations, enhanced advocacy, and securing alternative funding sources for OCTA, while restoring confidence through stronger financial oversight and transparency.

On behalf of Sint Maarten, Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita R. Arrindell emphasized that OCTA must become more proactive, visible, and results-oriented. Sint Maarten underscored that the establishment of clear and measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), together with a comprehensive evaluation of OCTA’s performance over the 2020–2025 period, should serve as a prerequisite for determining OCTA’s future direction and strengthening its accountability and effectiveness.

This condition was subsequently incorporated into the administrative resolutions, mandating its execution by OCTA’s Executive Committee in 2026.

The intervention further stressed the importance of capacity-building, practical support mechanisms, and continued access to EU programmes such as BESTLIFE2030, particularly for smaller and capacity-constrained OCTs, whereby no OCT is left behind.

During the conference, the future of the OCT–EU relationship, in particular the 2028–2034 Decision on Overseas Association including Greenland (DOAG), featured prominently on the

agenda. A Joint Declaration was presented and served as the basis for a high-level roundtable discussion among Ministers.

During this exchange, Minister Arrindell articulated Sint Maarten’s priorities for the next phase of the partnership. She underscored the importance of maintaining regular political dialogue with the European Union, including at least one annual high-level engagement, while also calling for simpler and more accessible funding mechanisms tailored to the realities of small administrations.

Minister Arrindell further emphasized the need to shift towards stronger implementation and tangible results on the ground, alongside enhanced visibility and engagement of the European Union within OCT regions. She also highlighted the importance of a structured and inclusive negotiation process.

While acknowledging that the current framework provides stability and predictability, Sint Maarten stressed that the future DOAG must better reflect the administrative capacities of OCTs and enhance concrete, measurable outcomes for their communities.

Finally, the Ministerial Conference addressed several governance matters, including elections to OCTA leadership bodies, whereby Saint Barthélemy took over the reigns from Aruba as incoming OCTA Chair. In addition, administrative and political resolutions were adopted, reinforcing OCTA’s operational framework and mandate to the new executive committee, and commitment to improved accountability moving forward.

Looking ahead, OCTs reaffirmed that OCTA will continue to play a central role in coordinating positions, strengthening advocacy, and ensuring that the priorities of all OCTs are effectively represented in the evolving partnership with the European Union.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is inviting local contractors and consultants to an informative session on bidding for an upcoming Sanitation (WASH) project in Dutch Quarter. 

Led by the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) and implemented by UNOPS, this project builds upon the 9th and 10th EDF cycles, which initiated sanitation improvements in Dutch Quarter.

It represents a continuation of the program aimed at modernizing collective sewage and stormwater drainage in the area. The WASH project forms part of the Government of Sint Maarten’s broader commitment to strengthening essential public infrastructure and promoting sustainable development, particularly in densely populated areas. The works will be carried out with careful coordination and ongoing communication with residents as the project progresses.

To ensure this project benefits the local economy, UNOPS will host a webinar on April 21, 10:00 AM. The goal is to engage the local market and equip local firms with the technical and digital tools required to successfully bid on the project. 

The webinar is specifically tailored for construction companies with proven sanitation experience in Sint Maarten, as well as engineering and consulting firms specializing in the supervision of island-based sanitation projects.

The webinar will feature an in-depth look at the project’s scope, requirements and timelines, as well as a comprehensive walkthrough of UNOPS procurement platforms, explaining compliance standards and the specific criteria used to evaluate bids. 

Interested parties should contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register. 

Background. Dutch Quarter, situated in the Upper Princess Quarter Region of Sint Maarten and bordering the French side, is a densely populated area with a major road network that connects five larger communities, including Madam Estate, Middle Region, Belvedere, and Belle Plaine (French St. Martin). This road network facilitates movement for residents, visitors, and businesses. 

In addition to its roadways, Dutch Quarter manages stormwater runoff, directing water from elevated areas to lower regions, including the Middle Region District and much of the Defiance area, both located within the Dutch Quarter Basin.

Existing water and sanitation infrastructure in the area had reached the end of its lifespan, increasing the need for a durable and sustainable solution. Minister Patrice Gumbs encourages all contractors to take part in this very critical project as we move to finalize the long-awaited sewage projects in the Dutch quarter. 

The new WASH project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), contributing to improved health outcomes and long-term environmental protection.

The official launch reaffirms the Government of Sint Maarten’s commitment to delivering essential infrastructure that strengthens public services, protects communities, and promotes sustainable development across the island.