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Our young people need jobs
DEAR EDITOR,
The private sector, through its representative bodies, has been playing an increasing role in the body politic of Guyana.
This, in my view, is a welcome development. Gone are the days when the state owned and controlled what was regarded as the commanding heights of the economy. Today the private sector is seen as the engine of growth and, taken as a whole, is the largest employer of labour.
The role of the state is primarily that of creating an enabling environment for the private sector to create wealth by providing the necessary infrastructure and at the same time ensuring that the rights of workers are protected as enshrined in the law.
The country can only prosper when wealth is created. This is why it is important that the environment for wealth creation is enhanced by way of sound economic policies and fiscal incentives. This is all the more necessary as we enter into a new era in our economic life, in which the main driver of economic growth will be oil and gas, as opposed to a narrow range of exports such as sugar, rice and gold.
The private sector must be commended for taking a stand on the issue of good governance and respect for the rule of law. In fact, there is a positive correlation between private sector development and democratic governance. Business and investment, both foreign and local, do not respond well to political instability. The country paid a heavy price during the days of undemocratic rule and we have a duty as a society to ensure that we do not revert to such a debilitating past.
The days of state as the largest source of employment are long gone. The public sector is not in a position to absorb the growing number of out of school youths, many of whom are now forced to join the ranks of the unemployed.
The government cannot ignore the call of the private sector and other stakeholders for a politically stable and democratic environment. Our young people need jobs and it is the responsibility of the government to facilitate job creation efforts initiated by the private sector.
Hydar Ally
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