The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is set to launch its election campaign on Sunday with a rally at the Square of the Revolution. During this event, the party’s leaders will outline their plans for Guyana, with a particular emphasis on addressing unemployment and underemployment.
APNU Presidential Candidate Aubrey Norton provided insights into the party’s agenda, highlighting the disconnect between recent economic growth and the realities faced by many Guyanese. Despite significant GDP growth and increased GDP per capita, Norton pointed to a 2024 World Bank report indicating that approximately 22.3% of the country’s youth are still unemployed.
“While Guyana experiences growth, a large number of citizens remain unemployed or underemployed,” Norton stated. He emphasized that many individuals hold jobs for which they are overqualified or work only part-time.
Norton criticized the current government’s handling of employment, arguing that economic growth has not translated into shared prosperity. He listed several barriers contributing to high unemployment rates, including skill mismatches, lack of training opportunities, discrimination in hiring practices, and logistical challenges faced by Indigenous people.
“It is time to end the governing PPP’s haphazard approach to national development,” Norton insisted, advocating for the creation of a comprehensive job creation policy aimed at employing all willing and able Guyanese.
As part of their proposed initiatives, the APNU plans to generate full-time jobs for over 40,000 unemployed individuals and reduce the number of part-time workers. Norton also announced plans to award thousands of contracts to small contractors for various infrastructure projects, including community sanitation and beautification efforts.
In addition to job creation, the APNU aims to enhance the private sector by reducing the cost of doing business through tax reductions and establishing a Development and Investment Bank for easier access to credit. The coalition also intends to support micro and small businesses by increasing grants and soft loans.
Norton concluded by emphasizing that jobs must not only be available but also well-paying and aligned with the skills and qualifications of the workforce. The APNU is determined to foster an environment where all Guyanese can thrive economically.
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