Unemployment low regionally, new projects aim to provide more jobs
BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS — Caribbean jobseekers can be cautiously optimistic heading into the new year as the prospect of employment, labour and wages looks good, according to Caribbean Employment Services Inc.
Joseph Boll, Caribbean Employment Services Inc. CEO.
“Unemployment in most of the CARICOM (Caribbean Community) Member States is trending downward, and many Caribbean nations have increased their lowest wages, signalling the potential for prosperity on the horizon after a period of intense economic challenges brought on by the pandemic,” said Joseph Boll, Caribbean Employment Services Inc. CEO.
Jobseekers are therefore encouraged to continue gearing up to find their dream job and taking advantage of the many resources available to help them become gainfully employed, including Caribbean Employment’s job board and team of dedicated HR professionals.
The Barbados-based talent acquisition firm that operates throughout the Caribbean has already helped thousands of jobseekers become hired over the last year, and has helped businesses find the best candidates for their roles.
For instance, just recently, in celebration of its third anniversary, Caribbean Employment held a promotion allowing regional businesses to post their first job ad on the site for completely free for a month.
More jobs launched last year
In addition to the firm’s own efforts, respective governments have also been making earnest efforts to encourage and facilitate formal employment among its citizens.
Unemployment is trending downward in most CARICOM countries. (Photo by Alena Shekhovtcova on Pexels)
Guyana’s government is just one example. The Ali administration launched a programme aiming to provide 50,000 jobs across the country by 2025.
Other countries, such as Jamaica and Barbados, have launched programmes aimed to diversify the economy by creating jobs in new fields, including coding and technology.
Challenges with informal employment remain
Informal employment remains a challenge in many Caribbean countries, with international organizations like the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), World Bank and others urging governments to take urgent action to address it.
“During the pandemic, people from countries across the Caribbean demonstrated their true resilience,” Boll said. “In the face of massive layoffs and job losses, people did everything they could to provide for their families. This pushed many into informal employment, and some still have not returned to the formal labour force since then.”
The challenge with informal employment is it leaves the most vulnerable populations even more susceptible to external shocks, including global pandemics and severe climate events.
However, with the promise of more formal jobs and resources like Caribbean Employment available to help, 2024 could see reduced instances of informal labour and even better unemployment rates throughout the region.
Find the latest jobs in the Caribbean via Caribbean Employment Services Inc.
