The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) says with access to quality education, decent work opportunities and adequate remuneration young workers can make an important contribution to the development of the country.

GPSU General Secretary Chandrawattie Persaud made these comments for observances held for the United Nations International Youth Day. She said very often young people in public service find themselves in jobs characterised by unacceptably low pay, little or no social protection and little or no job security. “This has forced many young people who have options to migrate in large numbers in pursuit of opportunities aboard, but often times end up at the bottom of the inequality ladder,” she said.

According to the release the World Youth Report 2005 estimated that there are about 209 million young people living on less than US$1 a day and about $15 million young people living on less than US$2 a day. At the centre of youth poverty is the need to address widespread youth unemployment and underemployment. Young people aged 15-24 are a quarter of the world’s working population but they make up half of its unemployed. National youth policies must target both increased employment and opportunities for youth and their improved employability.

The GPSU also noted that one billion youth will reach working age within the next decade. It said too it is therefore imperative that governments create opportunities to secure productive employment and decent work.