In a statement issued by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)/A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the party has rejected the Private Sector Commission’s (PSC) recent claim that unemployment in Guyana is “largely voluntary.” The PNCR argues that the country’s labour market presents a far more complex set of challenges, and the PSC’s oversimplified view ignores key issues that prevent many Guyanese from securing employment.
While the PSC asserts that job vacancies exist across the nation and that unemployment is largely a matter of personal choice, the PNCR contends that this view fails to account for deeper structural issues. ” protracted vacancies or job openings does not imply the absence of persons who are willing to or searching for work,” the PNCR statement emphasises, underscoring the need for a more nuanced understanding of the country’s labour situation.
A major concern raised by the PNCR is the absence of an updated and comprehensive labour survey, which has hindered accurate discussions on unemployment. The lack of reliable, current data creates a high degree of uncertainty, leaving the government to rely on outdated figures and anecdotal evidence. The party sharply criticised Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s dismissive remark that “everybody knows” there is work in Guyana, arguing that such statements reflect a careless and unprofessional approach to data collection and decision-making.
The PNCR has called for the immediate release of the 2022 census results and any ongoing labour surveys, which would provide a clearer picture of the workforce’s needs.
The Government continues to refuse to release the data raising concern that the demographic breakdown may not be in its favour to enhance its chances at being re-elected. The PPP has always pandered to race voting because East Indians have been the majority.
The PNCR also drew attention to the issue of structural unemployment in Guyana. This form of unemployment, the party argues, is driven by multiple factors, including the mismatch between the skills of available workers and the jobs on offer, a lack of accessible training and reskilling programs, gender, racial or age discrimination, and significant barriers preventing Indigenous communities from participating in the labour force.
Other contributing factors, the party says, include poor dissemination of information about job vacancies and the lack of affordable transportation and accommodation, particularly in remote areas.
Additionally, the PNCR highlighted the growing number of part-time workers in the public sector. With the government budgeting for 18,000 part-time workers in 2025, the PNCR views this as a wasted resource that could be more effectively utilised in productive roles.
The party argues that these workers should be given opportunities to transition into full-time employment, benefiting both their economic prospects and the nation’s productivity. This is a position the Guyana Trades Union Congress has repeatedly argued for, making known the present part-time employment does not equate to real employment but the use of state resources to have persons do party work, while keeping them underemployed and undeveloped.
Looking to the future, the PNCR outlined several key initiatives it would pursue if elected as the next government. These measures include:
- Improved Data Collection: The PNCR commits to establishing a comprehensive data-gathering system on the economy and labor market. By upgrading the Bureau of Statistics, the government will ensure that data is freely available to the public and businesses, thereby informing better decision-making.
- Skilling and Reskilling Programs: A robust investment in training programs will be made to help individuals, particularly those in part-time work, gain the skills necessary for full-time employment. This includes specialized training for high-demand areas such as truck driving, with stipends provided during training to support participants.
- Reforming Education: The PNCR emphasizes the importance of overhauling the education system, particularly in technical and vocational training. With 80% of Guyanese lacking a Mathematics and English pass at CSEC, the party plans to improve the quality of education to better equip students for the job market.
- Support for Women: The PNCR plans to establish a nationwide childcare system to support women in the workforce. This initiative will ensure women are fairly compensated, with work conditions that cater to their specific needs.
- Encouraging Older Workers: The PNCR also proposes policy changes to encourage older, retirement-aged workers to remain in the workforce if they are willing and able to contribute.
The PNCR’s statement rejects the practice of blaming citizens for unemployment and calls for a comprehensive, collaborative approach to solving the country’s labor challenges. By investing in education, skills development, and inclusive policies, the PNCR believes it can help all Guyanese, particularly disadvantaged groups, secure meaningful, well-paying jobs.
In conclusion, the PNCR stresses that only by confronting the complexities of unemployment head-on and taking decisive action can Guyana ensure a prosperous future for all its citizens.
