Labour shortage: Guyana examining Japan, UAE, other models to bring in foreign workers

With lack of local labour slowing down the speed of development by about 30% in the last six months, President Irfaan Ali has said Guyana is examining various models to find the right fit to bring in foreign workers.

The President’s comments came Tuesday night at an event to welcome the largest U.S. trade mission to Guyana.

Dr Ali noted that Guyana’s labour force is “very small” and this is “one of the binding constraints we have.”

“Our speed has slowed by, I think, 30% in the last six months because of the lack of labour. The construction sector is taking a big hit in terms of labour supply; this is something we have to look at urgently,” the President stated.

“We’re looking at different models in terms of bringing labour in.

“You have the Japanese model, you have the UAE model, there are different models out there. We have to find the model that is applicable to us.”