Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud on Tuesday told Parliament that the government is looking to place $2.3 billion of disposable income into the hands of pensioners.
“We’re looking at an increase and we’re looking at placing $2.3 billion of disposable income in the hands of our pensioners. I would not stand here as part of the PPP/C government and say that we have done all that we can, but this is just the beginning in 18 months where we would have increased pension beyond what the APNU+AFC government did in their entire five years”, she said in her contribution to the budget debate.
As such she assured that the government will remain committed to consistently increasing the pension until pensioners are at the point as was promised in the PPP/C’s manifesto. According to the minister, since entering office, pensions have increased by 37 per cent.
Persaud told the house that facets of the budget integrate and interlock to provide a holistic and comprehensive approach to families across Guyana. “When we look at the cumulative benefits of the people, the benefits that they will achieve from this budget, the 2022 budget I think they will be anxious for successive budgets that will build on this robust framework that this budget will provide.”
The minister also indicated that in the last year, monies were expended to provide training for women and men and as such the allocation this year has increased to $172 million to continue and expand this training which she noted was inclusive as every region has benefitted from the training that was offered.
The minister highlighted that the ministry is in the process of creating a digital database to track the progress of women in an effort to support them in a way that would enable them to effectively expand as well as sustain their businesses.
“Mr. Speaker, when we think of women in the country we must know that once women are empowered, once they are elevated they can make an indelible impact in governance, in education, and in every conceivable national platform and sector across the length and breadth of Guyana,” she said.
Persaud declared that tangible transformation is currently taking place at the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute (GWLI) while contending that the government is establishing many opportunities for women.
With regard to the investment being made in women, she noted that the GWLI has been furnished with a modern and well-equipped computer lab which will continue to deliver training to women. Additionally, Persaud informed that there has been modernisation and rehabilitation of all training spaces at the GWLI.
The minister told the house, “This year in 2022 we will be opening a state-of-the-art culinary centre at GWLI which will offer women the opportunity to benefit from classes in training so that they can start their own businesses or become more employed.”
She disclosed that this is something that she is passionate about as the mission is to remove women from the lowest bracket of pay to higher brackets and as such ensure that they have equal opportunities as their male counterparts.
However, the minister assured that the ministry will continue to ensure that there is also focus on men through the continued hosting of the International Men’s Day celebrations along with training in anger management, conflict resolution and the formation of a number of men’s groups in all regions.
Persaud noted that much work has been done as it relates to assisting persons living with disabilities in Guyana and in addition to benefiting from an increase in public assistance which she said will amount to $350 million, such persons will also benefit from training opportunities at the centre which is expected to be open during the first half of 2022.
“In addition to that, last year persons living with disabilities benefited from $120 million, this year if you combine the cost of the centre that we are constructing and opening and you combine what is budgeted for persons living with disabilities it will amount to nothing short of $200 million,” Persaud informed while adding that the centre will cater exclusively for teenagers, young adults, and adults living with disabilities. Further, included in that figure is the construction of a brand new facility for children with special needs.
She disclosed that in just a few weeks, children at the Sophia Drop-in Centre will have new kitchen, dining and recreation areas. This she noted is to the tune of $38 million.
The minister emphasised that the budget this year also caters for the continued roll-out of programmes that will benefit the homeless and indigent while the Night Shelter has undergone serious transformation which has expanded its capacity to ensure persons that are homeless and indigent are treated with dignity.
Concerning other programmes planned by the ministry, she stated, “In addition to that a number of programmes will be rolled out to rehabilitate offenders and perpetrators of abuse and violence and my colleague attorney- general and I will be this year launching the Hope and Justice Centres.”
This is expected to provide decentralised access to legal and other services that are required by persons experiencing gender-based violence. This she explained is a structured and comprehensive approach to one of the toughest social issues that needs to be tackled in Guyana.
