Govt working assiduously to reduce unemployment, eradicate poverty – VP

Through a number of innovative policies and programmes executed over the course of Dr Irfaan Ali’s presidency, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has managed to significantly reduce unemployment figures which has contributed to lower poverty levels.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed during his Thursday press conference that just in the infancy stage of oil production, Government was able to reemploy 60,000 persons.
While this has brought down the unemployment rate, there are still pockets of persons who are without a job. The end goal is to ensure that every Guyanese is meaningfully employed.
“If we work hard, we will get wealthier. We will be able to end unemployment in Guyana totally. We have managed to get 50,000 to 60,000 people working back again, since we got into office…We still have pockets of poverty in the country. We never claimed we have eliminated that totally. But where have we come from over the years? The Ramprakash Study said in the 80s, 87 per cent of our people was living below the poverty line. Today, that figure has come down significantly,” Jagdeo contended.
In light of the existing unemployment, Jagdeo signalled at a nuanced policy which will allow foreigners to work on big projects locally but also allow greater opportunities for unemployed citizens to benefit.
Working towards the goal of zero unemployment, the former Head of State zeroed in on the related link of investing in education.
He stressed, “We believe that we must do a number of things, that poor people need good quality education and access to education. Free education at the University, the online programme, the oil and gas training college that we’re building. We’re saying now if you want a job in healthcare or to go for training. We will take you in and train you.”
In September 2023, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in its “Caribbean Economies at a Crossroads” report noted that Guyana’s high rate of economic growth, driven by a growing oil production sector, has played a major role in reducing unemployment rates.
The Bank noted that Guyana’s high economic growth rate, driven by the growing oil sector, has played a major role in unemployment rates declining and access to finance for the Private Sector improving.
While persons have claimed that they are unemployed, the Government has consistently said that not only was Guyana on a trajectory of constant growth that would provide even more higher-paying jobs, but the current economic growth has already opened up enough jobs for the number of jobless people.
In fact, there have been consistent reports of more jobs being available than can be filled locally, leading to discussions about importing labour. (G12)