Oman’s unemployment rate ‘not worrisome’

Muscat: The rate of unemployment in Oman is not a cause for worry as the country has seen good growth and government will continue to create more jobs, according to Mohsein Bin Khamis Al Balushi, Chairman of the Public Authority for Manpower Register (PAMR).

Speaking to media on Monday, he revealed that with 19,500 newly registered job seekers the total of unemployed Omanis has reached 153,326. “Sixty four per cent (98,612) of job seekers are women,” he said.

“The recruitment process in the civil public sector, as well as military and security institutions and employment in the private sector would continue in 2013 as we provide more jobs,” he added.

Al Balushi also said that PAMR was responsible in coordinating the recruitment of unemployed in government, services and private sector.

“All these entities will advertise vacancies in their respective organisations through newspapers in coming days,” he assured.

Majority of the job seekers (88 per cent) are undergraduates. “Some are diploma holders and others have passed secondary school,” he said.

Al Balushi urged job seekers not to rush inquiring about their situation as the authorities will approach them for placements as and when one arises according to their qualification.

He also said that PAMR will open registration at the beginning of 2013 for new job seekers. “Those who are looking for better jobs can also register.”

The government has recently created 56,326 jobs for unemployed youth and the PAMR chairman reckons that the remaining 97,000 job seekers was not a source of worry.

However, he reiterated that employment at the public sector depended on efficiency and the different skills possessed by the job seeker. “The growth witnessed by the Sultanate will open many job opportunities for jobseekers,” he stressed.

Khaleel Bin Abdullah Al Khonji, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and Deputy Chairman of the PAMR pointed out that the number of workers at the private sector had reached 1.4 million.

Dr. Younis Bin Khalfan Al Akhzami, CEO of the Public Authority of Manpower Register, said that there were also opportunities for the job seekers, either in the private sector or self-employed entrepreneurs subsidised by the ‘Sanad’ (self employment) Programme.

“The Ministry of Manpower will soon announce thousands of job opportunities with the private sector,” he said.