⚡️ Strikes resolved at EBS

Happy Monday!

This week we cover the end of the dispute at EBS, updates on the controversy around the mennonites, and President Santokhi’s trip to Bahamas for the third Afri-Caribbean Conference.

Dispute resolved at EBS with both parties willing to negotiate

• Calm and peace have returned to EBS after a month of disagreements after Hellings has been reinstated immediately, reversing his dismissal and suspension.

• General manager at EBS Leo Brunswijk, Ronnie Brunswijk’s little brother, emphasized the importance of following the president's directive for peace.

• Union leader Marciano Hellings and the CEO both apologized publicly.

• The OWOS union has restored its confidence in the EBS management.

• Negotiations for a new collective labor agreement will begin within a week, aiming for a better wage structure.

• Acting president Brunswijk's mother also stepped in to influence the resolution, emphasizing the need for peace.

• Hellings met with acting president Brunswijk and President Chan Santokhi, who promised a resolution within a week, and urged all employees to return to work immediately.

Indigenous peoples want Ruud Souverein banished

• The Kwintis want Ruud Souverein, a Mennonite representative, banished from Suriname and head captain Harold Souvenir removed from office for 5 years.

• Souvenir allegedly pressured the grand chief into agreeing to grant the Mennonites over 35,000 hectares for agriculture, despite previously opposing their arrival.

• A krutu (meeting) in Stibula revealed that Souvenir led negotiations to accommodate the Mennonites against the majority's wishes, including chief Remon Clemens.

• The meeting was triggered by leaked information that negotiations had reached a final stage, awaiting approval from granman Remon Clemens, which Souvenir allegedly wants to force.

• At the krutu, it was demanded that Souvenir's official stamp be revoked and he be imprisoned for at least 5 years.

• Monique Simon read the krutu's results, stating a lack of confidence in Souvenir and calling for his removal and imprisonment.

• The Kwintis want a judicial investigation into the alleged funds promised to Souvenir, totaling 300,000 euros or dollars.

• They advise Granman Clemens to write to high-ranking government officials to deport Souverein.

• Souverein responded, stating he maintains open and honest conversations with the Kwintis and believes those wanting to banish him are not Kwintis.

• Head captain Harold Souvenir has also denied accepting any bribes.

• Souverein claims that Witagron supports the head captain and that talks with the granman have been satisfactory, with a committee set to finalize the agreement.

• News of the near-finalized agreement caused a stir, but Souverein stated he would not interfere in the Kwintis' decision-making process.

• Granman Remon Clemens and his secretary Ryan Clemens oppose the Mennonites' arrival and claim permission was never granted, promising to resist the settlement.

• President Chan Santokhi confirmed that Terra Investment requested permission to settle Mennonites through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which officially communicated the government's decision to end the project.

President discusses investments with Afrexim Bank CEO

• President Santokhi is attending the third Afri-Caribbean conference by Afrexim Bank in the Bahamas, emphasizing investment in the manufacturing sector and mobilizing international capital.

• The conference aims to strengthen cooperation with Africa, including cultural and trade relations, and the creation of a trade agreement between Africa and CARICOM countries.

• President Chan Santokhi met with Afrexim Bank President Benedict Oramah to discuss the bank's interest in Suriname, particularly in the oil, gas, tourism, real estate, and agricultural sectors.

• They explored options for debt refinancing and various investment modalities across different sectors.

• An inventory of potential projects will be made, followed by a trade and investment mission to Suriname led by Afrexim Bank's president, likely in July or August.

• Technical discussions on debt refinancing will occur in the coming weeks, aiming to buy off restructured debts on better terms to increase fiscal space in Suriname's budget.