Bahamas PM seeks to boost jobs

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has announced a plan to create 2,500 temporary jobs over a six-month period, according to a report on www.cananews.net.



\"We hope to accommodate some of the unemployed persons in our community who have skills but who are experiencing difficulty in finding employment in these tough economic times,” Ingraham told his ruling Free National Movement (FNM) convention that ended here this weekend.



“It is intended for the employment to be temporary in nature. Persons will not be given any expectation that they will become full time government employees,” he said, noting that persons hired under the scheme will be paid the government’s minimum wage of approximately US$210 per week.



Ingraham said the programme will focus on a wide spectrum of jobs requiring different skills and while programmes have not yet been finalised it is expected that at least three different programmes will be mounted.



He stated that consideration would also be given to a work-study programme to assist students who are studying at the College of the Bahamas, or one of the community colleges in the Bahamas, and who are in need of financial assistance.



The projects, he said, will be designed to pay those students for hours worked each week, allowing them the opportunity to complete their studies at the college level.



The Prime Minister assured that all Members of Parliament, regardless of political affiliation, will have the opportunity to employ people under the plan.