Minister asks firefighters’ union to end strike

Justice and Police Minister Stuart Getrouw on Thursday sent a letter to the Firefighters’ Association to ask union officials to end the strike immediately. The union issued a strike because the union members still have not received their transitional bonus. Sources told Times of Suriname that the minister expressed his outrage and disappointment regarding the strike. Minister Getrouw labelled the strike unlawful because two months ago the Council of Ministers gave its approval for the payment of the transitional bonus for the firefighters who will exit the FISO wage system. He made it clear that if the firefighters remained on strike, he would have no other choice than to opt for the no-work no-pay rule. The minister acknowledged that he had promised that the transitional bonus would be paid in January and that he had worked hard after the Council of Ministers had given the green light in December 2019.

But he also referred to the current state of the economy and that it would not be possible to pay the bonus at the end of this month. Sources told Times of Suriname that officials plan on starting with the payments of the transitional bonus at the end of March. Acting Union Chairman Wendell Oosterwolde confirmed that the minister has responded to the strike but was reluctant to comment on the contents of the letter. He pointed out that the union would be informed of the minister’s response on Monday. The acting union chairman explained that the union still has not received any invitation from the minister. “It would please the union members if the union were to have a talk with Minister Getrouw.” The Fire Department Suriname (KBS) does not respond to calls regarding bee and reptile sightings.

It does, however, make an exception when the situation is life-threatening. The firefighters also will not deliver water to schools while the administrative workers only work until 10 a.m.