By Joseph Allen
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is closing in on its development of a framework that not only addresses the sourcing of labour but also skill specialization and certification. It is estimated that Guyana currently has a labour shortage of 100,000 people.
At another of its Multi-Stakeholders Meetings on Guyana’s Labour Needs hosted by the Diaspora Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud, yesterday provided the estimate of 100,000 people.
“It was assessed that we need in terms of skills and persons for the various industries and sectors that are expanding close to 100,000 more persons,” Persaud said. He explained that this figure came out while in conversation with key stakeholders.
“It wasn’t a survey done, it was an average or an estimate. So, it’s not based on [empirical data] but rather based on data projections from various sectors. It’s based on what has happened in the country in the last year and it’s based on what is needed going forward”, he said.