Over 1,000 gain from income generating projects …unemployment rate at 12%

Dec 12, 2018 News

Just over 1,000 citizens are now benefitting from the Ministry of Social Protection’s Sustainable Livelihood Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) programme. This is according to the Minister of the said ministry, Amna Ally.
The programme, created within the pretext of generating income for citizens through self-reliance projects, and skill acquisition, has targeted 227 households in just this year. A total of 1,264 persons have been impacted by the ministry’s programme.
Thirty-three projects have been done thus for the year; Guyana’s unemployment rate, however, stands at 12 percent.
Given that Guyana has often received opposition from many young persons in terms of job availability, the SLED programme is focused on providing income-generating opportunities for the country’s citizens.
Projects within SLED would include aspects such as poultry rearing, garment construction and other skill based entrepreneurial aspects. SLED is expected to increase employment on the community-based level. Persons have benefited in areas such as livestock, apiculture, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and tourism.
In recognition of the importance of micro and medium enterprises, transferring skills to individuals is expected to boost the country’s economy. Micro and medium enterprises are known to reduce poverty levels by creating jobs for a country’s growing economy.
According to global reports, the continuous lack of decent job opportunities may stymie the growth of a country’s economy. In fact, the report pegged inclusivity and increased economic opportunities as a major determining factor in the success of a country’s economy.
Moreover, the initiative’s aim is to cater to the growing labour force by providing job opportunities and thus boosting the economy. $250 million has been allocated to the programme for 2019.
Guyana’s unemployment percentage disproportionately comprises of women aged 15 to 24 years, with young people being a vast majority. Projects within the programme slated for 2019 are expected to greatly affect the young demographic, economically in Guyana.

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