Oman to provide jobs for 50,000 citizens

MUSCAT: In quick developments last night in the wake of public demonstrations in Sohar and other places, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman ordered his government to immediately provide jobs for 50,000 citizens.He also declared that every job-seeker registered with the Ministry of Manpower would be paid RO150 a month until he or she finds employment.The Omani monarch directed Minister of Diwan of Royal Court Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud Al Busaidi to head for Sohar to meet the protesters and listen to their demands. The minister later left for the Batinah town, some 300 km from Muscat.In response to the demonstrators’ call to grant the Majlis Ash’shura more powers, Sultan Qaboos announced the formation of a Ministerial Committee chaired by Sayyid Ali to study the proposal.The committee will present its recommendations to him after discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Minister Sayyid Fahad bin Mahmood Al Said.In response to another demand, Sultan Qaboos told his government to take necessary measures to ensure the independence of the Public Prosecution Department.He also ordered enhancing the role of the State Audit Institution by appointing members of the Council of Oman, comprising the State Council and the Majlis Ash’shura, to its board – Khaleejnews