ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – The ruling United Progressive Party (UPP) is promising full employment in Antigua and Barbuda within a two-year period, as it campaigns for a third consecutive term in office.
Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer says he will announce “very soon” the date for the general election and on Thursday night, Labour Minister Dr Errol Cort told supporters that full employment would be achieved through a number of government projects and initiatives.
“We say to all of you it is our goal within the next 24 months to eliminate all unemployment in this fair land of yours,” Cort said as the party endorsed Heath Minister Wilmoth Daniel for the Freeport constituency.
“We have started where the government has taken a proactive stance in terms of creating employment, especially for young people in this country,” he said, adding that a new work experience programme and several other initiatives will drive the unemployment project.
But Cort was also urging the private sector to play its part in providing employment
“As a government we are playing our part but I also use the occasion to call on the private sector and to ask them to continue to play their part as we create the enabling environment for employment. We call on them to make sure that permanent jobs are available for all those who are desirous of finding employment in this country,” Cort said.
Antigua and Barbuda’s employment rate is estimated at 11 per cent.
