Govt part-time workers will not stay at one level – Pres. Ali

Persons employed under the government part-time workers programme can look forward to brighter futures as the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) has plans to improve the initiative during its next term in office.

“Our plan is not to keep you at one level,” President Dr Irfaan Ali said as he addressed a public meeting at Rose Hall, Region Six on Wednesday.

The PPP/C administration launched the part-time jobs initiative in 2022 to provide employment opportunities for citizens, particularly those in rural and hinterland communities. This initiative involves citizens working for 10 days a month in public offices, earning up to $40,000.

Thousands are currently earning under this programme, which not only facilitated the delivery of government services across the country but also injected more disposable income into households and communities.

The opposition has been critical of the programme and now on the campaign trail, some politicians are promising to offer these workers more benefits.

But President Ali urged citizens to be cautious.

“They come to tell you that they will give you more but don’t forget who started the programme, don’t forget who you can trust to expand the programme and to give you more under the part-time programme,” he said.

President Ali said that the goal is for these part-time workers to graduate into full-time employees and migrate into higher paying jobs or owning their own businesses.

Meanwhile, to help young professionals excel in their respective careers, he said the government will fund the establishment of care centres for children.

“That is why I’m telling you we are looking to graduate part-time workers into full-time workers because we are building out these services to advance our society,” he noted

The part-time jobs initiative was introduced as part of the government’s strategic measures to mitigate the effects of the rising cost of living, the COVID-19 pandemic, and several other global factors.