Basseterre, St.Kitts (PAM Communications UNIT):-Leader of the People’s Action Movement the Hon. Shawn K. Richards has given his party’s commitment that one main issue to be pursued and addressed is the problem of unemployment in the country. According to the UNDP report of 2009 the country’s unemployment rate grew from 4% in 1997 to 6.1% in 2009. With the closure of companies such as Reed Data Services, St.Kitts Brush Company, Clear Harbour Call Center and the laying off of scores of workers at major companies such as TDC and Contec over the last few years the unemployment rate has no doubt risen since the UNDP 2009 rate.
“The recent temporary employment of almost 2000 young men and women in the PEP programme highlights the serious issue of unemployment in the country,” says Richards.
“These are almost 2000 young people who were previously unemployed and in many cases some were last employed in the last pre election employment gimmick, the YES programme, which lasted for 6 months prior to the 2010 election. This situation cannot and will not be ignored by the People's Action Movement in a UNITY government. We will vigorously pursue permament employment for all those persons on the PEP pogramme. We will do this with creative job creation and also the creation of an economy that is conducive to entrepeneurship and overall development, “Richards Continued.
The PAM leader indicated that unemployment has been a major issue for the citizens of the country and it is an issue which will be on the top of the agenda for the new government.
Richards concluded, “In addition to pursuing all avenues to ensure that all of our PEP workers are gainfully and permanently employed, as has been articulated on our platform before, PAM will pursue a number of initiatives that will enhance employment in the country."
These he said include:
• Placing special emphasis on skills training in
schools for young people.
• Broadening the scope and availability of adult
education opportunities.
• Establishing a National Employment Placement Agency to assist youth in obtaining jobs
• Placing special emphasis on skills training in
schools for young people.
• Teaching the subject of Enterprise at every educational institution
Richards concluded by saying , “With an unemployment rate of just over 6% and a poverty level in the country at above 30 percent based on high unemployment and underemployment compounded by the high cost of living triggered by a 17 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) and high electricity rates , the pursuance of job creation along with permanent and gainful employment is critical for the future development of the country.”
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