KUWAIT: Thenumber of Kuwaitis working in the private sector increased to 73,810 so farthis year, with an increase of 3,142 employees compared to 2018, according toofficial statistics. Public Authority for Manpower statistics show that thenumber of Kuwaitis employed by private companies is on a gradual rise, as ithad reached 70,668 in 2018, 69,508 in 2017 and 66,714 in 2016.
Meanwhile, theauthority explained that the decision on allocating certain ratios of privatesector job opportunities for citizens had effectively contributed in increasingthose numbers over the past three years. The authority added that great effortswere being exerted to guide new graduates to various job opportunities inprivate companies, through exhibitions and specialized workshops designed tochange citizens' attitudes towards working for the private sector.
In other news, anumber of lawmakers are currently trying to talk MP Riyadh Al-Adasani out ofgrilling Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-JarrahAl-Sabah before the next parliamentary term commences, and to postpone hismotion until after the inaugural session on October 29, sources said. MPAdasani had declared intentions to grill both the interior and the financeministers before he found out that MP Mohammed Hayef had already filed agrilling motion against Finance Minister Nayef Al-Hajraf, which means that itwould likely be discussed on the inaugural session.
In case Adasanifiles his motion as well, both motions against Hajraf would be merged anddiscussed together, which might make them lose significance, the sourcesspeculated. Further, the sources noted that Adasani is currently consideringpostponing his motion if the minister remains in office, though he hadexpressed fears that a limited reshuffle would be done to exclude Hajraf fromthe cabinet afterwards.
Separately, MPBader Al-Mulla urged Minister of Electricity and Water and Minister of OilKhaled Al-Fadhel to investigate the losses of the Vietnam refinery, and warnedof what he described as 'consequences worse than those of the Dow Chemicalcase.' Mulla explained that, according to a technical report from the oilsector and State Audit Bureau reports, the gas enhancement plant costs KD 444million despite its unprofitability. "Grilling minister Khaled Al-Fadhelis inevitable," he stressed. Further, Mulla said that he has no problem intaking over the oil ministry portfolio himself. "I have previously said Iam not keen on a ministerial position, but I am now in order to reform the oilsector," he stressed.
By A Saleh