Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday announced that Budget 2026 will be presented early and will include funding to deliver on key promises made by the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), including the establishment of a structured legal migration framework to address labour shortages while safeguarding national identity and security.Speaking during his weekly press conference at the PPP/C’s Freedom House headquarters on Robb Street, Georgetown, Dr Jagdeo said the upcoming budget will reflect the government’s continued focus on job creation, improved healthcare and education, community development and strengthened national security.“The President spoke again about the orientation of our manifesto… creating more and better-paying jobs, ensuring our people are better educated and healthier and solving community problems like drainage, garbage, and security,” Jagdeo said.“But given recent developments and ongoing discussions over the years, we are also prioritising the creation of a migration policy.”Dr Jagdeo disclosed that a major part of this policy involves the rollout of a national biometric identification system, which will register every citizen and migrant in Guyana. Each person will be issued an electronic ID card containing facial recognition and biometric data.He explained that possession of this card will be mandatory for work, banking, and other services, as employers will face penalties for hiring anyone without it. “If you don’t have that card, you can’t survive in this country… you can’t be working,” he said. “Employers who hire people without it will face serious penalties.”The Vice President noted that the system will also be integrated with an expanded network of 4,000 surveillance cameras, allowing authorities to identify individuals anywhere in the country, further enhancing public safety and border control.As part of the broader policy, Jagdeo said government is exploring granting residency—without voting rights—to legal migrants who come to Guyana for employment, particularly in sectors like construction where there are labour shortages.“We want people to come and work because we need that,” he explained. “But they can’t change the nature of our society. We may have to consider allowing residency but not voting rights. This will likely form part of the debate in the constitutional reform process.”He pointed out that this model is not new, citing examples from countries such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which allow foreign workers to live and work under specific residency arrangements without full political rights.Dr Jagdeo said these policy directions, along with the establishment of a Development Bank and other national initiatives, represent “weighty issues” that will have lasting effects on Guyana’s future.“These are not short-term matters—they will impact generations of our people,” he stated. “And only a party like the PPP, with its depth of experience and clear vision, can manage such a transformative agenda responsibly.”While criticising what he described as “noise and political hysteria” from the Opposition, Jagdeo reaffirmed the PPP/C’s commitment to governance that prioritises accountability, long-term development, and the protection of citizens’ interests. Budget 2026, he added, will continue that path—funding growth, modernisation, and security while ensuring every citizen and legal resident is properly documented and included in Guyana’s transformation.The post Budget 2026 to come early – Jagdeo says migration, residency without voting rights & E-ID for employment on the agenda appeared first on News Room Guyana.