Despite the inability of Labour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul to provide general unemployment statistics, the opposition on Thursday spared the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) from planned cuts of allocations in this year’s budget.
According to the Notice Papers submitted by the opposition ahead of the consideration of the estimates in the Committee of Supply, the AFC wanted a total cut to the $224 million for the BIT, while APNU proposed a cut of $84 million. However, both stood down on their proposed cuts.
Gopaul said that the Labour Ministry’s programmes have been training a number of young persons in various communities over the years. “Under the National Training Project for Youth Empowerment, we have trained [over 7,000]. At the single parent training programme, we trained 1,274. Last year we would have trained nearly 2,000 persons,” he said, while noting that for the past five years, there have been 249 apprentices trained.
He said that as part of the programme, the students are paid a stipend to help with transportation “plus we try to give them a kit.” Because of the low stipend, he admitted, youths did not want to join the programme. And as a result of the complaints received, the ministry decided to try and increase the allocation for the programme, so that the stipend could have been increased.
In addressing questions as to whether the persons trained found jobs, Gopaul said that all persons trained have gained employment, while noting that a labour market survey found that there is demand in the mining, forestry and agriculture sectors.
APNU MP Basil Williams asked for information showing that trained persons became employed. He then followed up by asking what the youth unemployment figure was.
Minister Gopaul was unable to provide this information. “No one knows the exact figure but we are working to establish it,” he admitted.
Williams then asked the minister what is the general unemployment figure in Guyana. Again, the minister said that he was unable to provide an answer on the question.
Williams also asked where in the estimates he could find the Critchlow Labour College subvention, which has been discontinued in previous years. In response, Gopaul said that it is not under his Ministry but he is aware of engagements with the institution with a view to addressing the issue.
During the consideration of the figures related to Human Services and Social Security, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Jennifer Webster was questioned about persistent difficulties regarding pensioners receiving their pension books.
Some $5.8 billion will go towards pensions this year, said Webster, who disclosed that her ministry has not been operating to the highest standard because of staffing issues.
APNU MP Volda Lawrence asked the Minister when these issues will be rectified. She said the staff in her ministry is working to improve the efficiency levels regarding old age pension books. She said while awaiting the extra staff, the current staff is working extra hours to look after the pension applicants.
AFC MP Dr. Veerasammy Ramayya asked whether the Minister could provide a list of the names of the 42,500 pensioners eligible for Old Age pensions. Committee Chairman Raphael Trotman said that this list could be provided but discouraged the Minister from ever attempting to read out such a list in the National Assembly given the length.
PPP/C MP Gail Teixeira said that in light of the Access to Information Act, persons should be cautious about revealing such information.
Minister Webster said she would be willing to meet with members to address concerns in the various regions.
Lawrence said that senior citizens in Region Nine are asking for an extension centre in Aishalton instead of having to travel all the way to Lethem to pick up their pensions, since this must be done at a great cost to them.
To this concern, Webster said, “We are currently looking at ways to improve the pension payments…we have been in some discussion with the Minister of Amerindian Affairs to improve [the situation].”
Lawrence suggested that payments through the commercial banks be considered. Webster said that this is under consideration by the administration.
Webster also disclosed that some departments in her Ministry will occupy the former GRA Building at the corner of East and Lamaha streets. The Minister said that some of the departments to go to that location would be the Women of Worth Programme, the Women’s Affairs Bureau and the Men’s Affairs Bureau.
