Surinamese President Jennifer Simons has officially inaugurated the specialized task force ‘From Poverty to Welfare Through Productive Labor’ on December 10th. This high-level working group has been mandated to develop practical, targeted programs designed to help citizens acquire vocational skills and sustainably escape poverty cycles.
The initiative comes at a critical time when numerous families across Suriname continue to face significant financial and social vulnerabilities. Chairperson Donaghy Malone emphasized that the task force’s mission directly aligns with the government’s broader social policy framework, which prioritizes sustainable poverty reduction, protection of vulnerable populations, and enhanced development opportunities for those living below the poverty line, school dropouts, and youth in challenging circumstances.
The comprehensive approach addresses both individual development pathways and community-wide improvement strategies. The task force comprises representatives from multiple key ministries including Education, Science and Culture; Youth Development and Sports; Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation; alongside the Foundation for Labor Mobilization & Development and the Foundation for Productive Work Units—all organizations with demonstrated expertise in workforce mobilization and vocational training.
According to the Suriname Communication Service, the task force will initially conduct thorough field assessments to identify target populations. Malone noted the particular challenge in reaching these groups: ‘You won’t simply find the target population on streets or in schools. We must actively seek them out, precisely because they often don’t automatically access available services.’ The working group, potentially accompanied by President Simons herself, will conduct neighborhood visits to directly assess community needs.
The program structure includes intensive training periods ranging from four to six months, with possible extensions up to one year. Significant emphasis will be placed on post-training support, including job placement guidance, entrepreneurship assistance, and pathways for participants to return to formal education systems. The task force will provide periodic progress reports to President Simons to enable timely policy adjustments throughout the implementation process.