Guyana’s Labor Force Challenges: A Call for Structured Solutions

In a recent discussion, Parliamentarian Amanza Walton-Desir stressed the importance of a systematic approach to tackle the challenges facing Guyana’s labor market. “The labor markets are strained, and yes, we do need people, but it has to come within a particular framework,” she stated, pointing out the government’s lack of initiative. “The Government of Guyana is unfortunately lazy.”

Walton-Desir, an Opposition APNU/AFC Member of Parliament, shared these insights during an interview with prominent journalist Enrico Woolford on his program, Context. She emphasized the potential of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Foreign Relations to address these pressing issues. “This is something we can work on as a committee and bring to the people of Guyana because, of course, the assumption is we want what is in the best interest of Guyanese,” she remarked.

Criticizing the ineffectiveness of Parliament and its committees, Walton-Desir expressed concerns about the government’s approach to governance. She drew comparisons with the American Congress and the parliamentary practices of Caribbean nations, highlighting their rigorous oversight. “The depth with which issues are dealt with and the way in which they scrutinize sectors—we don’t do that here, so it makes a mockery of the entire parliamentary system,” she contended.

Walton-Desir argued that the Foreign Relations Sectoral Committee could be instrumental in developing policies and legal frameworks that address competing interests while safeguarding the rights of Guyanese citizens.

However, her choice of words has not been without controversy. Walton-Desir has faced accusations of racism from supporters aligned with the PPP, as well as criticism from various news outlets. She previously described supporters of the PPP/C as “mentally lazy” during an appearance on KAMSTV, which prompted backlash.

In defense of her comments, Walton-Desir asserted, “The interpretation that the PPP/C and their sycophant surrogates placed on my words confirms that they are content to continue the ruinous racist rhetoric that has plagued Guyana since her independence and one which continues to arrest her development. Their propaganda machinery has been put into overdrive to paint me as a racist.”