72 persons hired to make face-masks under ministry’s jobs for vulnerable project

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security yesterday received over 75,000 face-masks, which represent the first batch sewn by persons who were hired under the recently launched Garment and Accessories Cottage Initiative set up to supply masks and create jobs for vulnerable groups impacted by COVID-19.

In a news release, the ministry said 72 persons have been employed since the launch of the Garment and Accessories Cottage Industry Initiative by Human Services Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud on October 19th.

Among them is Kamlawattie Rampersaud, of Cornelia Ida, who worked with three other women to sew 500 masks within seven days. “It was fun… we bonded, doing something we liked and are getting paid for it,” Rampersaud was quoted as saying by the ministry.

The ministry said those who have supplied masks have been paid under the initiative, which has commissioned

the sewing of over 200,000 masks that will be distributed countrywide, including to school, health and child care facilities.

It also noted that those who have been employed are slated to undergo training. In this regard, Persaud is reported as saying that a four-week training programme has been drafted for the individuals and will commence in the third week of

November. Areas to be covered include Introduction to Business literacy; Microenterprise; Entrepreneurism; Conflict Resolution; and Social Issues.

According to the ministry, Persaud has said she plans to establish cottage-led initiatives to benefit vulnerable groups and the face-masks initiative is “just one of many projects that will target vulnerable groups.”