T&T: Unemployment is workfare

A new look Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) that includes special projects, a women's component and training will be launched in Tobago next month.

The programme, which has been the centre of controversy for many years with frequent claims of low productivity at high cost, was launched in Trinidad earlier this month. An expanded women's component, which was part of the programme under the former United National Congress (UNC) administration, has been reintroduced and would be run by women.

Under the special projects component contracts would be granted to undertake construction projects in communities. The programme has been reorganised and would be remarketed in an effort to ensure that its negative image was changed to one of productivity, providing for the family, ensuring community development and also an avenue to access other programmes and training.