In a significant development for Trinidad and Tobago’s economy, Minister of Labour, Small and Micro Enterprise Development Leroy Baptiste announced that the National Recruitment Drive, launched on October 19, has the potential to inject up to $3 billion into the nation’s economy. This revelation came during the Senate’s budget debate on October 27, where Baptiste emphasized the initiative’s potential to restore employment, stimulate consumption, boost GDP, and reduce poverty. The recruitment drive aims to fill 20,000 vacant positions in the public sector, with a second phase expected to address private sector vacancies. Baptiste highlighted the multiplier effect of job creation, estimating that 20,000 direct jobs could indirectly generate 30,000 additional jobs, resulting in a total of 50,000 new employment opportunities. He projected that even with modest salaries, this could add approximately $1.8 billion to the economy. Furthermore, Baptiste underscored the importance of business community support for the initiative, which he believes will contribute to economic stability and increased contributions to the national insurance framework. The minister also criticized the previous administration, attributing a decline in workforce participation and employment rates to their policies. The budget debate also saw criticism from Vishnu Dhanpaul regarding the government’s proposed ten per cent wage increase for public service employees, though Baptiste did not address this issue in his presentation.
Baptiste: National recruitment drive could inject up to $3b into economy
