🎓 Cost of living crisis impacts university students

Happy Monday!

This week we cover ongoing issues at ADEK University, the controversy surrounding the Anthony Nesty Sporthal, and personnel issues at the national carrier, SLM.

Students argue against the rise in costs and dilapidated conditions of the university.

• Students at Student Housing Campus Village express satisfaction with the outcome of their actions, which led to reduced rent and serious attention to their concerns.

• Over 300 students, mostly from districts out of the city, reside in the apartments at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname, protested primarily against significant rent increases.

• Government officials, Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk and Education Minister Henri Ori, personally presented provisional solutions to the students.

• Clips circulated on social media showing the minister’s tone towards the students and accusing the minister of shielding the director and dismissing the students.

• Rent increases will continue, but the government will subsidize them, with a study subsidy in development to cover rent and other study costs until its completion.

• Safety concerns, including poor lighting and unauthorized access, as well as inadequate cooking facilities, were raised by students, who also expressed discontent with the current leadership. They called for the reinstatement of the previous leadership, whom many believed were let go in favor of the current leadership due to nepotism.

Controversy rises at Anthony Nesty Sporthal.

• The Ministry of Regional Development and Sport (ROS) has instructed the management of the National Indoor Stadium (NIS; Anthony Nesty Sporthal) to report vandalism.

• Items were removed from the building by a company that supplied items during Joël 'Bordo' Martinus's tenure as director.

• Minister Gracia Emanuel revealed that the Ministry of Regional Development and Sport (ROS) has an alleged monthly debt of 100,000 SRD due to an agreement signed by Delcano Misiedjan, the former chairman of the NIS foundation board, with the company 'Dompu Trowe' for the NIS design

• Emanuel stated her refusal to cooperate, citing that the agreement was not with ROS but with Dompu Trowe. She highlighted that the ministry was not informed of this agreement, nor did it go through proper tender procedures.

• A judgment has been made rejecting the company's claim for renovation of office spaces.

• ROS management is actively seeking financing through a Public-Private Partnership to comprehensively rehabilitate the NIS, aligning with strategic goals dating back to the 1980s.

• Joël 'Bordo' Martinus, currently being sought nationally and internationally, claims to have financed the renovation of NIS from his resources but alleges that ROS did not uphold their agreements, resulting in his eviction.

SLM personnel union raise issues against management

• The Staff Union at SLM raised concerns over various issues, including insufficiently qualified personnel, low wages, and discrepancies in currency exchange rates.

• Despite downsizing, recruits are being hired at higher wages against the collective labor agreement (CLA).

• Premiums for pensions are deducted but not transferred to the fund, causing problems for pensioners and staff.

• The SLM management denies the claims, emphasizing a focus on the company's recovery and survival.

• Concerns also arise regarding incomplete management, lack of staff training, and internal financial discrepancies.

• The union seeks action and has reached out to the Minister of Transport, Communications, and Tourism, awaiting a response, they emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues before it's too late.