Introduction
“We are a Labour Government… post pandemic jobs are returning to the Vincentian economy…” were the sentiments echoed boldly by our Minister of Finance the Honourable Comrade Camillo Gonsalves in this year’s budget, 2023. Justly so, and as plain as the naked eye could see, this assertion has been instrumentalized and actualized by an increase in available jobs in multiple sectors.
Perhaps, what is most remarkable is that the naysayers seem to be in a state of political destitution, trying to keep up with the transformative and outstanding activity taking place; more than a mere election gimmick. To talk about said jobs without a robust plan of action will forever relegate those mouthpieces always to opposition status!
When we look at the types of infrastructural activity taking place in our country, and see real jobs, with real Vincentians, the young especially, coming to the realization that this government is creating opportunities for employment in every sector, it isn’t hard to understand the discombobulation which exists between and among the circles where the sycophantic ignoramuses, purporting to be the agents of the good-of-the-people and their whistle-blowing obsequious flunkies, will permanently enjoy life from the opposition.
It is clear that anyone who describes our emphatic and dramatic increases in job opportunities as ‘non-existent’, is not only clinically blind, but also delusional, self-serving and desperate in their attempts to corrupt the perceptions of forward-thinking Vincentians, and is making a complete fool out of their supporters.
“We are a Labour Government…” the party that not only represents the working people, but facilitates jobs for the working people, in all sectors. There are more jobs in construction, more jobs in the hospitality sector, more jobs in fisheries and agriculture, and more jobs within the Central Government than there were last year and the year before that. The construction sector in particular, is rapidly absorbing locally available skilled workers, and contractors, to work on schools, roads, hotels, and more……so much so, that there are reports of scarcities in certain skillsets…..
These are the facts! These facts represent part of the reason that we do not and will not address the misnomers that are put forward by an idle and desperate opposition party. We would let the work speak…and we will let our people work!!!!
Labour is Work”
“We are a Labour Government…” and with a great political party such as the Unity Labour Party, comes great responsibility. While they talk, we are working! We made a commitment to this country, to create jobs for our people and to empower them to create a better quality of life for their families. Political desperation and downright shame, has led the opposition and their operatives, local and foreign, to manifest an alternative reality and alternative set of facts. Whereas their idle, politically impotent rhetoric still has not grown teeth; and whereas the evidence is a clear antithesis to their claims; be it resolved that the country is working, and working assiduously, and more and more job opportunities for our Vincentians are in the fore. Let us examine just a few pertinent examples.
Three years ago, talk of Clear Harbour Call Centre in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was denigrated by a few misinformed and delusional political momparas as “empty promises”. Today the company has established workforce of over 350 persons. They are currently expanding their workforce with a potential intake of over 500 persons in the upcoming months.
Sandals has graced our shores and has already made an indelible mark on the workforce. From the original work-training recruitment program where over 300 persons went overseas, to employing over 800 construction workers on its hotel site in Buccament, this company has, and continues to show, its confidence and support for Vincentians, even at this early stage of development. According to the Regional Project Director of Sandals, Terence Des Vignes, the company is also set to employ an additional staff of over 200 workers after it opens its doors in the first quarter of next year. He affirmed that by mid-2024, Sandals would permanently employ a staff of over 800 workers. The company will embark on its drive for further recruitment with the first job fair starting on September 26th, 2023. This would assist in, not only sourcing and filling regular operational staff positions, but also management and supervisory positions in each department in the resort.
This government and its many initiatives and programs, with a succinct vision for the future, has already outfitted its workforce for many of these jobs opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector. Through the successes and legacies of the Education Revolution, Hospitality Training and Culinary Arts, just to name a few, have been the feather in the cap of this government in preparing its human resources for an assortment of jobs, locally. Although, they question the relevance of the Education Revolution, the said relevance must be underscored, highlighted, celebrated and memorialized based on our fortitude in creating a robust and hard-working workforce. Labour is work…and workers are needed!!!! Sandals, and the other hotel companies such as the Holiday Inn Express that is set to begin operations here soon, as well as the newly constructed and opened, Myah’s Suites, will support these skilled workers, creating opportunities for them to utilize and exercise their training and skill on the job, which in turn fortifies their product offerings to tourists and even Vincentians.
Not to mention the support that this company will be giving to farmers and fisherfolk, Sandals has already begun to generate partnership with the local agricultural sector to supply food from various specialized, local farmers and fishermen. More and more Vincentians would benefit from the establishment of these infrastructures in a multitude of areas.
Labour is Work!!!! Recently, contracts were signed with OECC-Taiwan and this government to facilitate a $120 million Dollar Road Rehabilitation Program. There are over 100 roads, major, minor and other class roads that are scheduled to be completed between 2023 and 2025 in phases. Road work has already begun in several areas. Local contractors have hit the ground and according to the Ambassador of the Republic of China-Taiwan, Fiona H.C Fan, “more than 1000 Vincentians will be employed throughout the duration of this project.
Conclusion
We will let them talk…while they talk, we will work, providing jobs in key sectors of our economy!!!! Empowering Vincentians is our mandate. We do not have time for idle rhetoric. The political narcissistic rage of a desperate opposition, who continues to be befuddled by the progress of a great party, with a youthfully exuberant and innovative set of young leaders, is self-evident, and adds more nails in the proverbial coffin of a dead party. We will continue to beat them to the mark. This year, all “roads” will lead to the end of their tomfoolery and political “ninny-ism”. We will ensure that their usual talking points have no merit and the agents of their denudation will continue to befall them all, as we work to build a strong, resilient, post-colonial society, owing to and as a consequence of the fact that, this is a LABOUR GOVERNMENT!!!
