Some queries even came from overseas, she said

“I didn’t realize that so many people want a job. People really need work!” Sarita says.

The April 2013 labor force survey conducted by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) recorded a national unemployment rate of 12.1%. That’s a few percentage points lower than last year’s figure. The figure represents the percentage of those actively seeking employment who have not been able to land a job. The reality on the ground for those who are unemployed is tough – and sometimes downright depressing.

Sarita Thomas, 41, a single mother of 3, has been looking for a housekeeping job (not babysitting) for some time now. About two weeks ago, she placed a classified ad in the Amandala, which was published in the Sunday, July 21, 2013, issue.

Amandala published the ad under “Needed,” and the ad specified that Sarita was looking for a housekeeping job, but somehow, many people misread the ad.

As soon as the Amandala hit the streets two Fridays ago, Thomas said, her phone started ringing off the hook.

She began to receive numerous calls and text messages, and those queries—she said hundreds— continued up to yesterday, she told us, but no one called with a job offer.

Sarita said that she even received calls from overseas, querying about a housekeeping position. “They said they want the housekeeping work,” Sarita recounted.

Whereas the callers were mostly females; some males also called asking about the job.

“I didn’t realize that so many people want a job. People really need work! They are mostly single parents looking for work,” the woman added.

She had to tell them that she is the one looking for work.

Thomas can be reached at 622-6941.