KUWAIT: The
number of Kuwaitis working in the private sector increased to 73,810 so far
this year, with an increase of 3,142 employees compared to 2018, according to
official statistics. Public Authority for Manpower statistics show that the
number of Kuwaitis employed by private companies is on a gradual rise, as it
had reached 70,668 in 2018, 69,508 in 2017 and 66,714 in 2016.

Meanwhile, the
authority explained that the decision on allocating certain ratios of private
sector job opportunities for citizens had effectively contributed in increasing
those numbers over the past three years. The authority added that great efforts
were being exerted to guide new graduates to various job opportunities in
private companies, through exhibitions and specialized workshops designed to
change citizens' attitudes towards working for the private sector.

In other news, a
number of lawmakers are currently trying to talk MP Riyadh Al-Adasani out of
grilling Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah
Al-Sabah before the next parliamentary term commences, and to postpone his
motion until after the inaugural session on October 29, sources said. MP
Adasani had declared intentions to grill both the interior and the finance
ministers before he found out that MP Mohammed Hayef had already filed a
grilling motion against Finance Minister Nayef Al-Hajraf, which means that it
would likely be discussed on the inaugural session.

In case Adasani
files his motion as well, both motions against Hajraf would be merged and
discussed together, which might make them lose significance, the sources
speculated. Further, the sources noted that Adasani is currently considering
postponing his motion if the minister remains in office, though he had
expressed fears that a limited reshuffle would be done to exclude Hajraf from
the cabinet afterwards.

Separately, MP
Bader Al-Mulla urged Minister of Electricity and Water and Minister of Oil
Khaled Al-Fadhel to investigate the losses of the Vietnam refinery, and warned
of what he described as 'consequences worse than those of the Dow Chemical
case.' Mulla explained that, according to a technical report from the oil
sector and State Audit Bureau reports, the gas enhancement plant costs KD 444
million despite its unprofitability. "Grilling minister Khaled Al-Fadhel
is inevitable," he stressed. Further, Mulla said that he has no problem in
taking over the oil ministry portfolio himself. "I have previously said I
am not keen on a ministerial position, but I am now in order to reform the oil
sector," he stressed.

By A Saleh