More jobs an urgent need

The Trinidad and Tobago economy is facing a critical juncture, with businesses closing their doors and unemployment rates climbing, according to one observer. The trend affects both new ventures and long-standing companies, raising questions about the profitability of doing business in the country.

Official statistics on unemployment are being challenged, with the author urging those in office to venture into communities and witness the reality on the ground. The article points to the struggles of young people graduating from educational institutions, many of whom cannot find employment and are advised to start their own businesses without adequate capital or support.

Last year, thousands of workers were laid off, and many remain jobless, including single mothers. The author stresses that the economy requires a significant positive shift. The lack of job opportunities for young people is presented as a stark reality, contrasting with potentially unverifiable official figures.

Furthermore, the article draws a direct line between high unemployment, poverty, and the escalating crime situation. It argues that lack and poverty breed negative behavior, citing Haiti as an example. The author calls for immediate short-term and long-term plans to create employment across all skill sets, emphasizing that rising poverty is detrimental to the nation's well-being. The piece concludes by noting that both those owed money and those without jobs due to unemployment require attention, urging collective action to improve Trinidad and Tobago.