The General and Regional Elections are weeks away and as expected, the political parties are using every possible opportunity to convince the electorate to give them a chance to manage the affairs of the nation. One of the main issues that voters would be making their decision on is the policies and plans of the various parties in terms of job creation and training opportunities since these are key concerns of everyone, especially young people.
In fact, if one were to conduct a survey among youths in Guyana to find out what are among their main concerns, it is almost certain that among those on top of the list would be acquiring a stable, well-paid job. This is perhaps the same for many other countries, as more and more persons are demanding better job opportunities that would enable them to take care of themselves and their families and to feel a sense of financial security.
Currently, the campaigns are in full swing and it is encouraging to see that most of the political parties have placed job creation as a priority in their manifestos. Some have outlined a clear path as to how they intend to achieve their objectives while others have not been very clear as to how they will achieve theirs.
On his part, Presidential Candidate of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP)/ Civic, Dr Irfaan Ali, has provided a detailed plan which will see more than 50,000 jobs being created if his party is returned to office. The Party has boasted that it holds as its highest priority, the creation of a Guyana where every person of working age is able to obtain gainful and fulfilling employment and/or become self-employed.
In previous engagements with the media, Ali had explained that his focus will be on Information and Communication Technologies – with the establishment of call centres and provision of critical services in sectors such as education, health, financial and security. He had also noted that eco-tourism, agriculture, mining, environmental services, forestry, and housing are key sectors that can churn out many employment opportunities if the right investments are made.
He had explained that the PPP’s job creation plan also places a major focus on the oil and gas sector, especially in the areas of training, shore base facilities, gas and energy development, enlightened local content and machine and engineering.
Similarly, the APNU/AFC has also made many promises in relation to jobs. In its Manifesto, the APNU/AFC has acknowledged that “the best way to provide for all our people is by growing the economy and providing well-paid and meaningful jobs”. The coalition has said that much focus would be placed on creating more employment and vocational training opportunities for young people.
However, based on its track record, the coalition might very well find itself in a difficult position to convince the electorate that it will indeed fulfil these promises. Many political analysts have criticised the coalition for its failure to deliver on its promises made in 2015 in relation to jobs. They have expressed the view that this is one of the areas in which the APNU/AFC has performed extremely poorly. In fact, some analysts have estimated that over 30,000 jobs were lost since the coalition took office in May 2015, with the closure of the sugar estates accounting for the majority.
Citizens, especially those graduating from tertiary institutions, have always maintained that much more needs to be done by both the Government and private sector to create more jobs and training opportunities for citizens. They want to see more concrete, realistic plans in place that would encourage more investors to come here and do business, they wish to see more support for small and medium-scale businesses that would allow them to grow and become more competitive and, in general, they want to see opportunities for wealth generation.
Young people’s desire is not to ‘cut and run’ to ‘greener pastures’. Once the opportunities are presented to progress, most Guyanese would wish to stay and serve their own country. Whichever party forms the next government, they must be taken to task to deliver on their promises, including those made on jobs.
