by Linda Straker
- Rahaman said that Grenada needs to provide more robust supply of construction labour
- Labour shortage can be addressed by local training and importing of temporary labour
- Transportation identified as another major issue for employers and employees
Salim Rahaman, Business Sector representative in the Upper House believes that the time has come for Grenada to establish a seasonal and temporary employment programme for the construction and other industries where there is a shortage of labour.
During last Tuesday’s sitting of the Senate, Rahaman said that labour shortage is among the several challenges facing Grenada and it needs to be addressed by training and importing of temporary labour as done in neighbouring countries like Guyana, Barbados and Trinidad.
Focusing on the construction industry, Rahaman said that Grenada needs to provide a more robust supply of construction labour. “We are seeing an increase in construction as well over the same period that is good for our country, but what that means is that we have a shortage of labour because you cannot scale a country without addressing the labour supply,” he told the Senate.
Elaborating on the topic, Rahaman said that as Grenada continues to grow, the country’s GDP will continue to grow. The construction industry will grow and develop and Grenada will need a more robust supply of labour. “I can tell you it is one issue that the business community is facing but If you want to build a home try getting a contractor, try to get a tiler and see how difficult it is to get a tiler to come and do your job at home; to do your bathroom. If you want to add on to your garage or you want to build something, you will see how difficult it is to get labour,” he said.
“We have to train and we have to have the training programmes locally…If it is not available we have to make sure that we do temporary arrangements with our neighbours just like Guyana is doing. If our economy is growing and we get into other areas of industry and if we don’t have the expertise, you have to bring in the expertise,” said Rahaman.
He also identified transportation as another major issue for employers and employees in Grenada.
If the Developers and Construction Companies like Creative Designs and Quinn would pay fair wages to the Grenadian Construction workers, they would NOT have to import temporary labor. Rahaman is seeking his own self interest with connections to all the so called New hotels development on the island. You should check the Human Resource department of all these companies. You do not have a Labour shortage.
Why would you Import labourers from outside the island when there is more than enough people in need in Grenada. If the government increase the local wage, especially in construction, I’m confident local will be more motivated to work, and It will surely be less expensive than bringing people in. Unless we’re talking s#ave labour off course… Of and please stop erasing my comment!!!
Stop offering the work out, If the government pay better I’m sure people would work, how is paying less than $100 a day going to motivate people to work in the hot sun. Surely importing outsiders isn’t more cost effective than increasing the wage. Just a thought!
Hmmmm interesting, I am wondering if this will work, because it seems to be a ting now where persons want to aquire quick money and work less… maybe importation may help, however, ensure we are not allowing criminals to enter the country due to the shortage of labour workers.