BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DESPITE the global economic and financial crisis, the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas, has stressed his government’s dedication to the prevention of unemployment.
Speaking on his weekly “Ask the PM” show on ZIZ Radio, Douglas said that although the government continued to be affected by the global economic recession, it had tried to implement a number of measures to cushion the economy so the impact of the recession would be reduced.
He noted the government would do its “entire best” to ensure that public servants, in particular, remained employed. He acknowledged that it would not be an easy feat, but that the government had a commitment to ensure the Federation’s people, though faced with tremendous difficulties, would be able to earn a living for themselves and their families.
The Prime Minister pointed to the recent establishment of the YES Programme (Youth Empowerment through Skills) as an initiative undertaken by the government to increase employment opportunities for young persons.
“Through the YES Programme, a helping hand has been extended to over 500 young persons who had been sitting at home. Many would have thought that at a time like this, with what has been happening overseas, we would be cutting back on government programmes. Instead, we continue to ensure we live up to our motto of giving a helping hand as the caring government.
“The government will ensure that as this programme moves along, the means for its extension are found, and that it will be shaped in such a way that it would continue to provide the support to the community that we intended it to bring, that is, providing skills for our young persons, providing employment opportunities and instilling values and discipline. The government intends to find ways to make this programme continue, if not in its present form, then in different forms,” Douglas said.
The Prime Minister called on community leaders and the church to create clubs and groups within the various communities for young persons. He noted this endeavour would enable youth to learn some of the basic values of life so they could socialise properly and adopt appropriate behaviour attitudes and patterns.
