HRH Premier directs to devise plans to create jobs

Manama: Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has directed to devise effective plans that ensure the continuous ability of the local labour market to generate adequate jobs for nationals. The Premier also urged to improve the level of jobs on offer in the Kingdom and to step up efforts to maintain  unemployment rate at secure levels.

Chairing the regular weekly Cabinet session at Gudaibiya Palace yesterday, Prince Khalifa was commenting on the labour market indicators in the last quarter of 2015  presented by Labour and Social Development Minister Jameel Humaidan.

Figures showed stability in the quarterly unemployment rate at 3.4 per cent. About 6,000 national job seekers were provided employment in the private sector and a total of 6160 job opportunities were created, the Minister’s report indicated.

Housing issues also took centre stage during the Cabinet session, as the Premier issued instructions to double efforts to streamline procedures and provide adequate housing for the citizens.

In this context, the session reviewed what has been implemented so far regarding the Government Action Plan. The report presented by the Minister of Housing Basim Alhamer revealed that the number of projects funded by the general state budget had increased by 6pc in 2015. Ninety five tenders worth BD363 million were launched and 51 others costing BD168m were
awarded.

Other projects, funded by the GCC Development Programme, have also been put out to tender. They includes the first phase of the 1,580 unit Southern Governorate project, the second phase of the Northern City project, including 577 units, the 389-unit Hidd project and the second phase of the Sitra project, including 746
units.

The Minister’s report also highlighted the social and economic housing projects implemented in partnership with the public and private sectors. They include 1,618 social housing units and 368 economic housing units in the Northern City, and 832 social housing units in Al Luzi region, worth BD162m. The project is 25pc completed, the report said.

The Premier also issued instructions to the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry to pave roads in Al Ekr region and set up the necessary road infrastructure and rain water drainage networks.