In a thought-provoking appearance on the Globalspan online show, Attorney Timothy Jonas has voiced concerns over Guyana’s burgeoning hotel industry and the broader implications for the nation’s workforce and economic development. His comments come amid a flurry of hotel constructions, including a notable Qatari hotel, symbolizing what some herald as progress and a boon for employment opportunities in the region.
Jonas, however, casts a critical eye on the type of employment these hotels are likely to offer. “If you’re employed in a hotel, your department might involve sweeping the floor, cleaning the toilet, gardening, parking the car, or cleaning the bedrooms,” he outlined, questioning whether these are the jobs we envision for the next generation of Guyanese. This sentiment taps into a larger debate about the quality and sustainability of jobs created by foreign investments and whether they align with the aspirations and potential of Guyana’s youth.
The attorney also highlighted the reality observed in countries like Kuwait and Qatar, where local citizens often occupy the higher echelons of society while foreigners fill the more menial roles, the opposite seems to be the plan for Guyana. Jonas poses a relevant question, “Is this the employment we want for Guyanese, or should we aspire for our people to be first-class citizens in their own country, staying in hotels rather than servicing them?”
Jonas criticized the government’s financial strategy, citing a tripling of the debt ceiling and a “spending splurge” on infrastructure projects that appear to benefit a select few. He juxtaposed this with the modest 6.5% increase awarded to teachers, juxtaposed against a backdrop of declining educational outcomes, with a 50% pass rate in CSEC exams and even lower in other areas. This, Jonas argues, sets a precarious stage where a significant portion of Guyana’s youth, potentially half given the high school dropout rates, might find themselves with limited prospects, relegated to low-skilled jobs in the very hotels touted as symbols of progress.
Jonas’ remarks have ignited a conversation about the direction of Guyana’s development and the need for a more inclusive, forward-thinking approach that offers sustainable and dignified employment opportunities for its citizens.