Government taking measures to safeguard jobs at airport call centre

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 7TH 2009 (CUOPM) – The Denzil Douglas-led Labour Administration is moving to safeguard the jobs of persons employed at the call centre located in the Stanford Building near the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport.
 
Government, through the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, has been exploring a number of alternatives and is involved in serious and sustained dialogue with current as well as prospective operators who have made proposals to continue the operations at the same location.
 
Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas is of the view that the building must be used for its intended purpose, which is to ensure that citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis can continue to find employment opportunities in a modern, state-of-the-art call centre.
 
It is envisaged that over 100 jobs will be created, thereby assimilating employees who would have been laid off, as well as an additional 30 or so persons who are in search of employment.
 
The government sees as a core part of its responsibility at this time of global economic downturn, actively assisting in the creation of successful private sector ventures with a view to creating employment opportunities and other spin-off economic activities for the benefit of the local population.
 
In 2007, Cabinet approved the establishment of the 150-seat call centre just outside the international airport.