PM: "We are creating opportunities on the island and channeling them into addressing youth unemployment specifically"
The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams outlined some of Governments plans and wishes this week, particularly regarding unemployment and youth unemployment in particular.
The Prime Minister also attended the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor’s We Can Build St. Maarten Together Symposium where she reiterated Governments commitment to cooperate on ensuring employment opportunities, especially for the youth within the labor market.
"We will continue to contribute to the overall program of Government to work together towards the common vision for St. Maarten. In addition to Government it is up to everyone on St. Maarten to contribute to the sustainable development of the whole island, including the work force and the labor market. Government has also made it its business to put the needs of the people, and especially with regards to jobs and the labor market, at the forefront. It is important that the community of St. Maarten to let your voice be heard in what you want from your Government and from this country. And, of course, also what you are willing to contribute to its development. Therefore the theme of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor "We Can Build St. Maarten Together" is a very important and pertinent one," commented the PM.
The Prime Minister also reiterated that the Government of St. Maarten takes the matter of unemployment in general and in particular youth unemployment very seriously and that steps are being taken to address the issue. "We are bringing together the community of St. Maarten, creating opportunities on the island and channeling them into addressing youth unemployment specifically. We have been having discussions in a tri-partite setting between Government, Labor and the Private Sector to come to an initiative to ensure that employment rates increase, especially amongst our youth, because that too is developing the country sustainably.
"It is also time that the issues regarding unemployment and the labor force be brought into the districts. Government will again be taking governance into the districts, to the people, to ensure that everyone’s voice; everyone’s wishes, are heard and taken into consideration. It is about involving those who are directly involved and here I challenge all, but in particular our young people to respond to the call of letting your voices be heard. Government would also like to stress that to those that are in need of assistance the Department of Labor specifically and Government in general can assist you in finding your way in the labor market. Let us collectively build this country and this great nation of St. Maarten," concluded the Prime Minister.