St. George’s, March 29, 2011 (GIS) – Government, which is promising higher employment levels this year and projects modest economic growth, is also exploring job opportunities for Grenadians to work overseas.
Grenada, like the rest of world, has felt the impact of the global economic crisis which has resulted in higher prices for some food items and in the cost of fuel, and has caused a slowdown in foreign investment in job-creation projects.
However, globally, there are optimistic signs that the economic situation could be about to take a turn for the better.
“Predictions are that economic recovery is on the horizon,’’ said Grenada’s Labour Minister, Hon. Glynis Roberts.
“In our own country, a conservative growth is predicted and in our 2011 Budget, government announced the commencement of some critical infrastructural projects which will create employment in the construction industry; the industry which it is believed was most affected by the economic meltdown.’’
Hon. Roberts, who was addressing a weekend conference of the Grenada Trades Union Council (TUC), said that training and skills’ upgrade are necessary as workers prepare for the impending economic growth and recovery.
“We, in the Ministry of Labour, will continue to work with agencies that will provide training opportunities, as well as seek to find employment opportunities for our workers,’’ Mrs. Roberts pledged.
“Just recently, we had a meeting with the Liaison Officer of the Canadian Seasonal Farm Workers’ Programme in an effort to secure more places for our workers in Canada,’’ she added. “I have also commenced discussions with the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados, to see how we can once more get workers in their migrant workers’ programme.’’
The Labour Minister challenged the TUC to “partner with the relevant government agencies to prepare our workers to embrace the opportunities that will emerge with economic recovery. Let us transform this crisis into an opportunity.’’
The TUC’s 10th Bi-annual Conference was held under the theme, “Workers Fueling Economic Growth and Recovery.’’
The theme, Minister Roberts said, “reminds all of us of the importance of workers in the development of our country.’’
The conference’s featured speaker was veteran Trinidadian trade unionist, Errol McLeod, who is now his country’s Labour Minister.
