CHIEF Co-operative Development Officer of the Ministry of Social Protection and the Department of Co-operatives, Ms. Perlina Gifth, on Saturday underscored that cooperatives play an important role in creating decent jobs in the country and also aid in sustainable growth here.

She was at the time speaking at a rally and exhibition held in Region Two to observe International Co-operatives day. Speaking to union members from all 10 Administrative Regions, Ms. Gifth extended greetings on behalf of the Ministers of Social Protection, Amna Ally and Keith Scott, for the special day. Co-operative Week, which concluded on Friday, was celebrated under the theme, “Co-ops 4 Decent work”- The future of work in focus.
The Chief Co-operative Development Officer said that the rally and exhibition held in Region Two was to raise awareness of the movement in Guyana and is a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Social Protection Department of Co-operative, the Guyana National Co-operatives Union Ltd., and Guyana Co-operatives Credit Union League Ltd.

She said her department has received complaints on inequality and a high level of unemployment in Guyana and is addressing same. “Co-operative day celebrate awareness and the contribution of the co-operative movement in Guyana, those who are members of such movement are very unique, inclusion is important and we must work in unity,” Gifth said.

She called on members to work together and for agencies or organisations that fall under the co-operatives to work on creating jobs, outlining that in order for the movement to survive it is important to solve the issue of unemployment in Guyana by providing decent jobs for citizens under a decent work programme. “There must be empowerment for the people through employment, when this happens it creates good assistance to the government,” Gifth further explained.

BRIGHT FUTURE
Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Denis Jaikarran, during his address said that the Co-operative movement in Guyana was on its “dying bed” in 2014 before the current government took office. He said that movement has seen a “brightness” in 2015 when the coalition government took office, which is a testimony that co-operatives have striven over the years under the current administration. He said the smallest child in Guyana can talk about “School Shrift Society” a movement that has taught them to save. He also thanked members from the various regions for travelling to his region for the event.

Messages were delivered by Directors and Representatives of the Essequibo/Pomeroon Regional Co-operative Union Ltd (E/PRCUL), Guyana Co-operative Credit Union League (GCCUL), Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and Guyana Public Service Co-operative Credit Union Ltd (GPSCCUL). Giving appreciation also was Mr. Ashworth Benn, the Interim Chairman of the (E/PRCUL).