Multidisciplinary controls conducted to raise awareness and ensure compliance
Last Friday, 11th of April, and Monday, the 14th of April, several multidisciplinary controls were carried out on St. Eustatius. The controls were conducted in the hospitality and construction sectors and were aimed at raising awareness and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
The controls were initiated by the Regional Information and Expertise Center Caribbean Netherlands (RIEC CN), a collaborative partnership that, among other things, works to strengthen the integrated approach to combat subversion on the BES islands. Various authorities, including the Dutch Caribbean Police Force (KPCN), the Belastingdienst CN (BCN), the Supervision & Enforcement department of the Public Entity of St. Eustatius (T&H OLE), and the Immigration and Naturalisation Service Dutch Caribbean Netherlands (IND CN), collaborated on the controls to verify compliance with laws and regulations in the hospitality and construction sectors.
During the inspections at four hospitality establishments, an employee without a work permit was found at one location. At one of the two construction sites inspected, enforcers found eight individuals without valid residence permits. The involved authorities are conducting further investigations into these situations.
The controls are part of a broader approach focused on increasing awareness and strengthening adherence to laws and regulations. The collaborating services indicate that these joint inspections will eventually become structural and will be carried out regularly. Entrepreneurs and citizens are encouraged to have their affairs in order and thereby contribute to a fair and safe society on St. Eustatius.
*In cases of undermining crime, criminals exploit legitimate businesses and (government) services for illegal activities. This erodes norms and reduces the sense of safety and quality of life. This phenomenon is known as undermining.