Private sector calls for urgent action to stem migration of skilled Guyanese

By Gomatie Gangadin

The Private Sector Commission of Guyana (PSC) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) have registered their concern over recent revelations that more than 80 per cent of the country’s graduates and skilled workers have been migrating out of the country.

The organisations noted that they were not only concerned but alarmed as well, since this would mean that the operations, expansion and growth of the private sector and subsequently the economy will be greatly affected since these workers are the most crucial ones for the development of the country.

According to the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) Human Development Report of 2009, the migration of graduates and skilled workers had stood at 76.9 per cent but has rapidly increased over the years. A recently-concluded study conducted by Simona Vezzoli, a researcher from the International Migration Institute (IMI), Oxford Department of International Development, University of Oxford, England, revealed that about 80 per cent (8 of every 10) or 2 out of 3 of our university graduates and skilled workers leave for another country.

While Guyanese immigrants have moved to places such as the United Kingdom and the Caribbean islands, they are most abundant in the United States of America and Canada, with an average of 78.6 per cent of Guyanese emigrants living there.

Emigration rate

At present, Guyana has an emigration rate of close to 50 per cent with an approximately 780,000 Guyanese residing abroad, compared to the 747,884 which make up the country’s current population. Among the 780,000 are, of course, the country’s top university graduates and skilled workers.

The PSC has noted that the situation is a “national emergency” and if it is not addressed as early as possible, social and economic catastrophe can result.

PSC Chairman Ramesh Persaud noted that this level of migration taking place in the country has affected the availability and quality of skilled employees in Guyana.

“We are not getting the quality of employees we need,” Persaud said.

The Chairman said, however, that he understood that the salaries and opportunities present in the country for employees were not competitive enough to prevent migration and more incentives would have to be offered to reduce emigration.