Jobs for youths, new social contract, revision of labour laws on agenda -President Granger

THE fight against poverty cannot be won through charitable handouts, neither through trickle- down economics, rather it is  only through the provision of jobs, particularly for young people, can the ‘panacea for pauperisation and privation be realised’, and as such youth employment will be a priority of the new Government.  This was President David Granger’s assertion as he addressed the opening of the 11th Parliament on June 10, during which he outlined that the provision of jobs for youths, the development of a social contract, and the revision of labour legislation will all be addressed, “in order to reduce poverty, improve productivity, strengthen democracy, and enhancing the people’s quality of life…”
More importantly, he said, is that a vibrant labour movement and sector in Guyana be realised. “Today, in our country, there is a crisis of youth unemployment. Many of our young people are leaving school and university, but are unable to find jobs. Without jobs they cannot escape from the cycle of poverty.” He said that the new Government will be introducing measures to establish young people’s economic independence and to improve their livelihood by promoting micro-enterprise development.
“Our policy will be geared to finding ways to increase wealth to give people a good life,” the President said, noting that, “Everyone, both rich and poor, stands to benefit if poverty is eradicated. It is not our intention to deprive the rich in order to help the poor. We shall involve all classes in the fight against poverty.”
He said that Government is set to wage war against poverty under a social contract characterised by an inclusionary process, since “such an approach would boost national confidence, and allow for the mobilisation of the material and human resources needed for the tasks at hand, which is the elimination of poverty.”
The President outlined, among the measures that will be undertaken in this fight, the development of a social contract that will guide the economy for the next five years until 2020.
He explained that he had met the leaders of the private sector and they will organise a forum that will bring together businesses, the trade unions, the political parties and civil society, towards the development of this contract.
“We feel that a vibrant labour movement is essential for social security, a fairer society, effective governance and national development,” the President said, as he explained that Government will revise relevant labour legislation to support all legally constituted and functioning trade unions to enable them to better represent the needs of workers.
“We shall, towards this end, give effect to the Motion passed in the 10th Parliament to restore the annual subvention to the Critchlow Labour College,” the President said.
He added that Government will introduce measures to promote social cohesion and protect vulnerable groups, and shall work towards healing the rifts between social groups in the country.
“We shall re-establish cordial relationships with civil society, religious organisations and trade unions. We have the responsibility to restore the integrity and viability of working people and non-governmental organisations which have all been gravely undermined,” he said.

 

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