The young men need long term sustainable employment says Labour Party

Leader of the opposition St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party, Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas says young men and women in the federation need long term employment solutions and not quick fixes.

Douglas, the former Prime Minister, made the comment while speaking on Freedom Radio’s Issues programme.

‘Our policy is to provide long-term sustainable jobs for these young men so that they can continue to work and have money to look after their families,” he noted.
“The Labour Party is not against these young men receiving financial support, but it is a programme that involves millions of dollars. Why is it not being properly brought to the attention of the people of this country?” Dr Douglas queried.

“The Labour Party in opposition now, will never tell the young men not to take money that is being given to them. We will never say that. What we are saying is that we would want them to understand that they need sustainable jobs to sustain their livelihoods, because it is not going to be possible for anybody to just give them money like that for a prolonged period of time, unless they are given some kind of productive work,” Douglas emphasized.

Chairman of the Labour Party, Dr Terrance Drew, pointed out that for the last four years of the Team Unity Government, the young men who were removed from the People Empowerment Programme when Dr Harris took office, remained unemployed and could not find jobs.

“Just before an election, this secret programme is implemented. It tells me this is not a sustainable programme for the young men as it is not open and transparent. This Team Unity Government is hiding it because there is no intention of them continuing it if they win the election,” Dr Drew said.

No social security or social services levy are deducted from the payments, leaving many to conclude that there is no long term plan so the young men can sustain themselves.