TAS Supervisory Board wants to resume work and does not rule out use of force

Whether the formal handover by former director Wendy Jap-A-Joe will proceed in an orderly manner, he cannot yet guarantee. Scheek says that the RvC has for an extended period been limited in its ability to enter the TAS building and carry out its regular supervisory and administrative duties. According to him, the court ruling is an important step towards resuming the work.

“So from this moment, we will simply take it up again,” he states. In doing so, he refers to the ruling and the possibility of calling in law enforcement for assistance if this proves necessary.

According to Scheek, however, the court ruling does not mean that all problems within the organisation have been resolved. He says the board is in fact at the beginning of an important phase in which administrative calm must be restored.

No certainty about orderly handover

Asked whether he expects Jap-A-Joe to cooperate in a complete and orderly handover, the chairman responds cautiously.

“You never have certainty,” he says. According to him, the meaning of an orderly handover may differ from person to person. He points out that handing over a few documents does not necessarily mean that all relevant information, files and company assets have actually been transferred.

For the RvC, he says, it is important that those who are no longer authorised to act on behalf of TAS make room for the legally authorised management.

The chairman stresses that the board must be able to carry out its work without further tensions, intimidation or threats.

Staff safety is a priority

According to Scheek, one of the first points of attention after resuming work is the situation of the staff.

The RvC wants to assess the internal relationships within TAS and what steps are needed to ensure the safety of all employees. After that, services to the various stakeholders must be normalised.

According to the chairman, it is important that the organisation returns to functioning under normal circumstances as soon as possible. Consideration must be given to both the interests of employees and those of the parties dependent on TAS services.

Seven commissioners jointly responsible

Scheek further makes clear that the RvC will for the time being remain collectively responsible for the management of TAS. No decision has yet been taken to leave day-to-day management to one or more commissioners. “At this moment, the board in its entirety is responsible,” he states.

According to him, the situation within TAS is currently too unclear and too sensitive to establish another management structure within the board already.

Only when calm has fully returned can it be considered whether certain responsibilities will be entrusted to individual members.

The chairman stresses that the RvC consists of seven members and that decisions are taken jointly. He rejects the suggestion that, as chairman, he would independently take decisions or carry out initiatives on behalf of the full board without consultation.

According to him, his role is mainly that of chairman of meetings and the first point of contact for the government, management and external parties.

Professional cooperation within the board

Scheek also addresses questions about the relationships among the seven commissioners. According to him, there is a good professional relationship among the members. This does not mean, he says, that everyone must be personal friends or share the same opinion on every issue. The question arose in connection with the lawsuit Wendy Jap A Joe filed against six members of the RvC. Samantha Gadjradj, the seventh RvC member, was reportedly excluded on at least two occasions.

The most important thing is that members cooperate professionally and comply with the applicable legal rules. During meetings, he says, every member is given the opportunity to put forward his or her position. Decisions are then taken democratically.

‘This is only the beginning’

Although the court has ruled in the administrative conflict, the chairman stresses that the RvC still faces a substantial task.

“It is a heavy responsibility resting on our shoulders at this moment,” he says. According to him, the situation within TAS must first be stabilised, after which the board can set out the further work.

Scheek states that it is not only about gaining access to the building or taking over management duties, but above all about restoring orderly proceedings.

According to him, the RvC wants to be able to exercise its legal responsibilities without further obstruction, so that TAS can once again normally carry out its duties towards society and the stakeholders involved.