PM Kamla not impressed with PNM objection to job creation plan

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has criticised the People's National Movement's (PNM) for its opposition to her plan to invest $300 million to create thousands of jobs, especially for youths in so-called "hot spot" areas.

She announced the plan on Wednesday. However some opposition MPs gave the plan a thumbs down saying it was "insulting".

Persad-Bissessar spoke with reporters during a break in Friday's sitting of Parliament. 

"They don’t seem to understand the suffering some families endure and can’t afford to buy a plate of food when the day comes," Persad-Bissessar told the media. 

"They’re doing the same thing they did last year when we gave out the Christmas hampers – employing a Scrooge mentality when they refused to accept our hampers," she said.

“Well, we’re giving out hampers again this year to every constituency and if they refuse to take them, we’ll work through local government and community groups to ensure that in every constituency there’ll be persons who will have a hamper for Christmas,” the Prime Minister added.

Speaking about the job plan, Persad-Bissessar said it will serve the dual purpose of providing income and also as a deterrent to crime. There will also be an economic benefit, she said.

"It’s more insulting for a person not to be able to get a job," she said. She plans to launch the plan on Tuesday in Port of Spain.