-Minister Nadir during 1st Labour Policy, Social Security Dialogue meeting in Washington DC
Labour Minister Manzoor Nadir has stated that Guyana and the Caribbean have the political will to improve the efficiency and productivity of labour markets, but lack the technical and resource capacity to bring about change.
He was at the time delivering an address at the first Labour Policy and Social Security Dialogue meeting on April 6 and 7 in Washington DC.
In an effort to support countries in the region with the technical analysis needed for the design, implementation and evaluation of policies to increase the coverage and sustainability of social security, the Inter-American Development Bank created a Labour Market Unit in 2009.
Thus far, the unit has embarked upon a number of technical analyses while additional discussions will focus on improvements.
The topic of the first meeting focused on options to increase the coverage of social security in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Minister Nadir, while giving an overview on Guyana, also used the opportunity to highlight key achievements of the country thus far.
While outlining the role of the Labour and Human Services and Social Security Ministries, he said that the provision of timely and accurate labour market information is a requisite for good and effective policy intervention.
“There is a lot of collaboration with the Organisation of American States through the Summit of the Americas and the Inter American Conference of Labour Ministries. I therefore urge you to embrace what is also happening through the ILO, OAS, CARICOM, UNASUR and IBERIO AMERICAN PROCESS and other complementary initiatives,” Minister Nadir said.
Minister Nadir also outlined the services and provisions made in the area of free education, health care, uniform assistance and the Cuban scholarship currently in Guyana.
He further stated that the establishment of Government’s online employment service has since been making it easier for employers and jobseekers. (GINA)