Cairo, May 18 (Aknews) – Unemployment has hit 16 per cent, meaning four million Iraqis out out of work, figures from the Ministry of Labour show today. The figure from earlier this year stood at 15 per cent. Unemployment is one of the major crises facing the government, already accused of corruption and inefficency.
However, this rise follows years of decreasing unemployment, from a peak of 25 per cent in 2007. These figures do not reveal the extent of the problem as they do not record underemployment – where people cannot fine enough work to support themselves.
The rise in joblessness comes as many Iraqi provinces have been witnessing protests calling for employment opportunities, as well as the improvement of basic services and living conditions.
On February 27 Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki gave his cabinet ministers a period of 100 days, to improve their performance or face being sacked.
Unemployment in Kurdistan stands at 13%.
