100 000 Workers Sought as Incentives and Immigration Policy Reform Explored

Guyana is currently facing a demand of approximately 100 000 individuals within the skilled and semi-skilled workforce. As the nation endeavours to bridge this gap, avenues to engage the global diaspora and harness the existing domestic talent pool are actively exploring. To facilitate this, an expedient and effective response from the worldwide diaspora is imperative, potentially necessitating a comprehensive reassessment of prevailing immigration policies, particularly concerning the issuance of work permits. Concurrently, the establishment of a National Labour Committee and the implementation of strategic incentivization measures can play a pivotal role in addressing this pivotal challenge, which significantly impacts both the tempo and the calibre of the country's developmental trajectory. Recommendations emerged from a recent multi-stakeholders meeting on Guyana's labour needs, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation’s Diaspora Unit. The session aimed to formulate a comprehensive national strategy for addressing the country's labor shortage across short, medium, and long-term horizons. Foreign Secretary, Mr. Robert Persaud highlighted the crucial connection between human resources and Guyana's rapid development. He emphasized that the deficiency in skilled workers could impede the nation's progress. Acknowledging the challenge of human resource scarcity in both public and private sectors, Persaud advocated for innovative solutions, including harnessing the potential of the global diaspora. He emphasized the importance of finding the right balance between foreign expertise and opportunities for Guyanese in the diaspora to contribute to their homeland's growth. Following the discussions, Dr. Vishnu Doerga, the Executive Chairman of ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc., highlighted findings from a survey revealing that many Guyanese are reluctant to return to their home country due to various concerns, including security issues. To invigorate economic growth, Doerga proposed a reconsideration of the immigration policy, particularly concerning work permits. Doerga suggested two potential strategies: first, the adoption of a more efficient digital system for work permit processing, significantly reducing the waiting time from weeks to days or even hours. Second, he recommended incentivizing employment as a means to attract both local and foreign workers in light of Guyana's transition to a high-income country and the rising cost of living. While the priority remains providing opportunities for Guyanese, the country is grappling with a labor shortage amidst substantial ongoing development. As a solution, the government has allowed foreign companies engaged in significant infrastructure projects to import workers, aiming to address the labor deficit and ensure the progression of vital initiatives.

Source(Image: Akin Victor, ILO, 2023, Newsroom, 2023)

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15 Aug 2023 17:30 | by anaraine