Gov’t to create almost 1,000 ‘part-time jobs’ to help struggling families – Jagdeo

$5 billion set aside in the budget to fund interventions to cushion the rising food prices.

The Vice President explained that with the creation of these almost 1,000 jobs, only one person from a family will be able to benefit.

“The jobs will be at hospitals and government offices part-time…it’s not high paying but offers three to four days’ work [a week] and will create additional sources of income,” the Vice President said.

Some of the residents during the meeting with Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo at the Anna Regina Secondary school (Photo: DPI/March 22, 2022)

The cost of fuel has more than doubled internationally while the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to a significant increase in the cost of commodities; the ongoing Ukraine-Russia crisis has worsened the international price surge.

Already, the government has announced plans to absorb increases in electricity and water rates brought on by an increase in global oil and fuel prices.

But in addition to that, Jagdeo also announced on Tuesday that the government had set aside monies to offer grants to some 200 – 250 small businesses.

He said applications will soon open for persons to apply for those grants even as the government roll out other support initiates.

Specific to Region Two, the government is looking to support investors who are looking to open call centres and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) facilities.

He said discussions were ongoing at the government level to find spots in Charity and Anna Regina where the government can construct shell buildings for this purpose.

“One of the initiatives is to work with a number of people who want to establish call centres in the region.”

Jagdeo also talked up subsiding the cost for the internet.

Meanwhile, at a recent press conference, President Irfaan Ali noted that the government has already started to examine several solutions to cushion the impact of the price surge on producers and consumers.