MPs vow continued focus on jobless – KUWAITIS CAPABLE OF COVERING NEEDS OF LABOR MARKET

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KUWAIT CITY, Aug 26: Unemployment is a major issue considering many Kuwaiti youths are capable of covering the needs of the labor market, says MP Riyadh Al-Adsani.

In a press statement, Al-Adsani cited government data on the workforce for fiscal 2016/2017, stating the expatriate workers in public and private sectors constitute 83 percent of the total workforce compared to only 17 percent Kuwaitis. He said the number of expatriate employees reached 2,138,163 while the Kuwaitis totaled 435,904. He disclosed these points were included in the interpellation request he submitted earlier against HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

He stressed the need to improve the situation through real accountability, not reckless statements as some are trying to play with people’s emotions and raise a new issue such as the so-called ‘fortification of the Prime Minister’. “We have addressed many issues including unemployment and Kuwaitization policy in the grilling motion discussed on May 10, 2017. The government is responsible for what is happening, especially since the data reflect the real situation. The government must take serious steps to address the unemployment issue,” he added.

He went on to say the youths are regarded as the backbone of the State; hence, the government should focus on competent national manpower, encourage them and develop their skills. He argued it is unreasonable that Kuwaitis constitute only 17 percent of the total number of workers in the public and private sectors. He added the government must also focus on the private sector and develop it, instead of getting in its way.

He emphasized the need to conduct a comprehensive study before filling up vacancies. “We will never underestimate the unemployment issue so we will use our constitutional tools to ensure the youths are given jobs,” he asserted.

In a related development, MP Mohammed Al-Huwailah said giving priority to citizens in the recruitment process means the Civil Service Commission (CSC) must review data on nationals who are still waiting for jobs. He pointed out it is illogical that many citizens are on the waiting list while expatriates with the same specializations take on jobs which should have been given to nationals. He clarified that priority should be given first to Kuwaitis, followed by Bedouns, GCC nationals and then expatriates.

Meanwhile, MP Saadoun Hammad Al-Otaibi has submitted questions to Health Minister Dr Jamal Al-Harbi about the Health Office in Germany. He wants to know why the office continues to deal with mediators without contracts as its representatives in dealing with hospitals and health centers even if the prices are more than double the actual cost of treatment, when will the health office deal directly with hospitals and health centers like other health offices abroad, why does the health office continue to deal with an Israeli who acts as an intermediary for hospitals and health centers in Germany and when will the office stop dealing with the Israeli mediator.

By Abubakar A. Ibrahim

Arab Times Staff

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