There are concerns that Guyanese outside of Regions three and four are not benefitting from hiring opportunities as a result of Guyana’s burgeoning petroleum sector. In light of this, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo recently related that the government of the day will incentivize companies that take employment beyond the more popular coastal regions.
“It is not just hinterland regions which may be faced with challenges in seeking employment in this sector, but also those in all of the other regions outside of (Regions) three and four,” the Vice President said in response to a reporter during his weekly Freedom House press engagements.
To this end, the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) reminded of the measures which have already been taken by both the Irfaan Ali-led government, as well as private companies operating in Guyana.
“This is why we implemented the part-time job programme and it is also why we are expanding call centres across the country,” he pointed.
The part-time jobs initiative, launched in 2022, aims to address the rising cost of living brought on by issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides one person per household with 10 days of monthly employment at public offices, earning up to $40,000.
Expanded in 2023 with a $10 billion budget allocation, the programme targets rural and hinterland areas. To date, over 17,000 individuals across multiple regions have benefitted, including 2,000 in Regions Two and Three, 4,000 in Region Six, and over 1,000 in Region 10. The government remains committed to delivering 50,000 jobs over five years, as outlined in the PPP/C manifesto.
Meanwhile, since taking office, the government has invested billions into the development of the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry. Earlier this year, the administration had announced plans to construct two new call centres in Region Five, with the capacity to create an additional 800 jobs.
In 2023, the country witnessed the construction of four new call centres, two in the Essequibo region and two in the Berbice district, also creating 800 jobs with the potential to increase to 1,600. Plans were announced, too, to update the Enmore and Tushen facilities, each having the capacity to employ another 300 persons.
