Part-time jobs initiative has already employed over 10,000 Guyanese
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — The government is preparing to issue more employment letters to women in the month ahead as it expands its part-time jobs programme.
This is according to Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who said the government has plans to increase its hiring spree in rural areas.
The part-time jobs initiative was launched last year as part of the Ali administration’s pledge to provide 50,000 jobs in Guyana between 2020 and 2025.
Some 11,000 people have already been hired through the programme.
It was rolled out in multiple regions, and a government statement noted that some 11,000 people have already been employed.
Jagdeo said, “This programme will be expanded to accommodate a number of people.
“The focus here, again, is to ensure more women get employment, with the aim of bringing more women into the workforce.”
He made the comments while addressing rumours that the government might terminate the programme by the end of this year.
“I want to assure the people, many of them in every part of the country — from Regions One to 10 that we visited — that we intend to expand the programme, not reduce the numbers of people,” Jagdeo emphasized.
“Especially in the rural and hinterland areas and places like Region 10, where people still need these programmes until they can find regular jobs.”
A win for women
The vice president’s pledge comes as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) calls for Caribbean businesses to make more of an effort to include women in their workforce, and especially in management or executive positions.
The part-time jobs programme has been rolled out in multiple regions across Guyana.
It also comes as Guyana is experiencing such enormous economic growth that the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) and IOM (International Organization for Migration) estimate the country will need around 160,000 more workers just to keep up with the economic pace.
In a recent report, the IDB found that Caribbean women perform better on the job, and contribute more to a company’s success as a result.
However, many Caribbean women still face workplace discrimination.
The IDB expressed concern that some may leave the workforce entirely as a result of the double pressure of unfair working conditions while being expected to perform unpaid domestic labour.
As such, Guyana’s effort to specifically target women is a step in the right direction.
According to state media, “The job opportunities allow the employees to work for 10 days and earn up to $40,000 monthly.
“The work is being offered in specific areas within government ministries including health, agriculture, education and local government.”
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