Labour laws discussed at SHTA labour seminar

August 17, 2012 7:18 AM

LITTLE BAY--Employers learnt about the "prevention is better than cure" approach to labour issues, during a St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) seminar on labour laws on Thursday.

Labour attorneys Molly Steward, Thijs Leijsen and Michiel van den Brink of law firm VanEps Kunneman VanDoorne facilitated the session which was attended by representatives of a cross section of businesses.
 
Issues such as employment contracts, terminating employment contracts, employment contracts versus contracts for services and seasonal work and flexible employment relationships were discussed.
 
Presenters also fielded questions from attendees at the end of the two hour session.
 
One of the issues raised was the use of temporary employment agencies and workers associated with these agencies. Attendees were told that while workers from temp agencies were not employed with the companies for which they are sent to work, they have a contract with the temp agencies. These agencies are also required to pay these workers.
 
Indefinite, definite and short-term labour contracts were also raised by presenters, who outlined the characterizations of these contracts.
 
Also discussed was the termination of employment contracts, the dismissal law, reasons that qualify for immediate dismissals for urgent reasons among other issues.
 
The seminar was held under the theme "Prevention is Better than Cure."

(The Daily Herald)