Saint Lucian women are being encouraged to consider seeking employment in the construction sector.
“I am of the view that there are too many women who have settled for the softer jobs and the low paying jobs because most women settle for housekeeping, caregiver, they are involved in the STEP and cutting grass, and they do not see construction as an area because they have not been trained,” Labour Minister Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte told reporters.
The Minister spoke of the need to encourage women to explore their skills.
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has designated 2024 as the Year for Infrastructure.
Dr. Albert-Poyotte recalled that Pierre indicated there would be much construction work in the coming months.
In this regard, she said there might be a skilled labour shortage in the sector resulting in the importation of workers.
“Can women go into that area so that they cater for the shortage?” The veteran former trade unionist asked.
The Minister disclosed that the government has been working with a Canadian firm to help women enter the construction sector.
“We felt that we need to open the door to allow women who want to go into construction to participate,” she explained.
She acknowledged prevailing notions that heavy-duty work in construction would rule out women’s participation.
Nevertheless, Albert-Poyotte observed that globally, females work in all sectors.
Regarding Saint Lucia, she told reporters that many women engineers work at the Ministry of Infrastructure.
In addition, the Babonneau MP stated that equipment can do heavy lifting.
“You don’t have to lift up how many bags of cement,” Albert-Poyotte declared.
She also said women could be supervisors on construction sites.
Albert-Poyotte said there was a need now to train women for construction jobs, a task the government would undertake.
She has a point. How about the government to get NSDC to train women to be equipment handlers for excavators, backhoes, graders, trucks etc.
Smh both you and pot belly King are so rude and out of place, neither of you should be in politics. If you did your much needed research, you would see that more women are involved in construction. More women are involved in harder jobs, yes they may look like men just like you, but they are still females.
Alot of women are farmers includid sea moss farmers, alot more women are apiculturists who must construct their own hives. These are not SOFT jobs; you rude and out of place woman!. Women are Painters women are truckdrivers. Why don’t you ask the gay men to do more masculine jobs then, since they seem to be slowly dominating the sales world in St Lucia.
That government is playing on the intelligence of the workforce after 3 years in office the government continue to play hard ball with a minimum wage
In all fairness women want equal rights equal pay independence. If you offer women 2 options.
1*..an office job that pays 4k a month
And
2*..a job as a brick layer that pays 10k a month.
More than 90% would choose the office job.
Stop dreaming miss poyotte stop with. Your feminist ideas
Advising women to slave themselves physically and work harder. Smh at these leaders.
Men have the physical strength for these jobs not women.
In today’s age where people should be working less and take more time off for family you asking them (women) to do construction work? !
Dr poyette has a serious problem , and should resign the post as minister of labour 3 years in power and still on the infantry stage of a minimum wage . It clearly shows that the current administration only represent the interest of big business and the oppressor . We should vote them out in 26 and bring back tropical Trump…
Madam Minister, please focus on fixing the Labour Department. Your own boss, Kenny said it is in a mess, but yet nothing is being done about it and people are suffering. No resolution is a crime against peoples constitutional rights and you are guilty of perpetuating that. How long do people have to wait for justice.
Awesome..now all construction sites will need to have a potty john toilet!!!