Due to consistent emigration, particularly since the 1970s, only about half of the Guyanese population now resides within Guyana’s borders. The remainder are dispersed in diaspora communities worldwide. The government of Guyana is eager to reverse this brain drain by encouraging nationals to return and fill job vacancies in the country.
However, the main concern is whether Guyanese workers abroad will find sufficient benefits to justify moving back home.
On Saturday, 16 private sector companies from Guyana participated in a Diaspora Job Fair in New York, aiming to recruit individuals for vacant positions. Earlier, it was announced that “dozens of companies” would participate.
The government has not disclosed the number of Guyanese jobseekers who attended the fair or the number of hires made.
Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, in his keynote address, emphasized that this initiative aligns with President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s commitment to host job fairs globally to engage the Guyanese diaspora
Persaud stated, “Our efforts here are part of a continuous campaign to keep our people informed about the country’s developments and to ensure that Guyanese are active participants in the nation’s transformation and progress.”
He highlighted that the same job opportunities are available to residents in Guyana, yet companies struggle to find suitable candidates despite ongoing recruitment efforts. A study conducted by the International Office on Migration about 18 months ago identified a shortage of approximately 100,000 workers.
The job fair aims to support the private sector by addressing these skill gaps. Instead of hiring non-Guyanese, the government is making a conscious effort to engage the diaspora, which includes over a million people worldwide.
Persaud mentioned that, amid the political crisis, over 30,000 Venezuelans are residing in Guyana, whose contributions have been crucial to various projects. He argued that similar efforts should be made to attract the diaspora to contribute to the nation’s development.
The job fair also targets the second and third generations of the diaspora to rekindle interest in returning to Guyana.
Michael Brotherson, Counsel General for New York, highlighted the fair as a tangible demonstration of the government’s commitment to collaborate with stakeholders for the country’s ongoing and remarkable development.
Komal Singh, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, expressed gratitude for participating in the event and noted the high demand for labor in key sectors, exacerbated by workforce shifts to the booming oil and gas industry.
Singh noted that the labor shortage is affecting sectors across the board, leading to rising labor costs. He emphasized the urgent need for skilled professionals, such as engineers, project managers, and health and safety officers, to sustain the country’s growth.
