KUWAIT CITY, Dec 11: The Government Manpower and Restructuring Program (GMRP) has revealed that there are 22,000 unemployed Kuwaitis and hinted that the rate of unemployment may rise and create economic and social problems in the country, reports Al-Seyassah daily.

An official source at the GMRP affirmed that 5 percent citizens lost their jobs in the public sector and added that 70 percent of the total unemployed citizens hold secondary school certificates or less, “so they still have opportunity in the private sector.” He said GMRP has decided to increase percentage of Kuwaiti employees in about 24 sectors of the economy. He said the sectors are divided into two groups; the first group consists of 12 sectors including banks, as well as investment and communications companies, while the second sector will be specialized for holders of secondary school certificates and lesser educational certificates.