A TOTAL of 1, 000 persons residing along the East Coast of Demerara are the latest beneficiaries of the government’s part-time jobs initiative.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), the prospective employees signed their one-year contracts on Friday, following a launch of the initiative at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

In addressing the gathering, Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said the PPP/C Government is constantly examining ways to supplement household income, and reminded the beneficiaries that before COVID-19, approximately 30, 000 jobs were lost under the previous APNU+AFC Government. Noting that it was the COVID-19 pandemic that exacerbated the situation, the VP stated that the government is making job opportunities available for Guyanese, and that through the part-time jobs programme, persons will be employed in public offices close to their homes.

He explained that it also allows persons to earn until they find better opportunities which will become available in various sectors as the country advances.

“It is a part-time job; not temporary, so when you get on it, you will be there until you find something else. The remaining period you can utilise it to either upgrade yourself or further your studies,” the VP was quoted as saying.

According to the DPI, the job opportunity allows one person per household to work for 10 days per month and earn $40,000.

With Guyana being labeled as the fastest growing economy in the world, the nation must have a lot of people working, Dr. Jagdeo underscored.

“We have a lot of skill shortages, like plumbers, carpenters and electricians; we already can’t find people. We believe that this part-time programme can help in the short-run until we get more permanent types of jobs in those areas as we spread development across the country,” he stated.

The vice-president was accompanied by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall; Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat; Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs Kwame McCoy, and Members of Parliament Jennifer Westford, Alister Charlie, and Yvonne Pearson. (DPI)