PARAMARIBO, Suriname, November 15, The Ministry of Defense has filed summary proceedings against the Association for the Legal Status of Military Personnel (VRM), with Defense Minister, Krishna Mathoera, insisting that “It is forbidden for soldiers to strike.”
Mathura says she does not believe that the VRM has legal standing and, in the summary proceedings, wants the court to prohibit future actions of the union. She also said that the union has never been able to demonstrate that the organization has 1,700 members.
“If the minister wants us to show the exact figures, we can show the exact figures. If she wants to, we can do that. The minister should not start with something that could get her into trouble. We at the union have enough evidence to give a lot to the judge.
“I hereby ask the minister, minister, please stop, stop what you are doing. Otherwise, we will certainly be forced to go to court,” said VRM chairman Rodney Cairo.
The union wants a 150 percent salary increase for soldiers, and last Friday, it presented a petition to the Office of the President on Friday.
Cairo is warning that if the union does not hear from the authorities during this week, members will not participate in Srefidensi, which is observed on November 25, marking the country’s independence from the Netherlands on November 25, 1975. It is a national holiday here, and Surinamese observe the occasion through several festivals.
Cairo said that the action has nothing to do with politics, adding, “the bylaws are clear…we are fighting a positive fight for the members of the organization.”
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