KUWAIT CITY, Jan 15: In a move aimed at bolstering employment opportunities, the Kuwait Municipality has revealed a substantial number of job vacancies available to both citizens and expatriates. The annual budget report, effective from April 2024, discloses a total of 1,090 positions, signaling a commitment to inclusive hiring practices.

Among the notable openings are 36 positions within the funeral department explicitly designated for expatriates. These roles involve the ritual washing of the deceased. Additionally, there are 25 driver positions for hearses, indicating a diverse range of opportunities within the municipality.

The comprehensive report also details vacancies for accountants, architects, electrical and mechanical engineers. However, it remains unclear whether these positions are accessible to foreign applicants. Administrative roles, on the other hand, are explicitly reserved for Kuwaiti nationals across various branches of the municipality.

The new budget, amounting to an estimated KD190 million for wages and compensation, represents a noteworthy increase of KD9 million compared to the existing budget. This financial allocation underscores the municipality's commitment to investing in its workforce.

Kuwait currently boasts a public sector workforce of approximately 483,200, with foreigners constituting 23% of this total – the highest proportion among Gulf Cooperation Council countries. According to data from the Public Authority for Civil Information in February 2024, the combined government and private sector workforce in the country stands at 1.9 million, with 75% employed in the private sector. Notably, expatriates make up around 3.2 million of Kuwait's 4.6 million population, as revealed in a recent census.

In recent years, Kuwait has redoubled its efforts to create job opportunities for its citizens, mitigate reliance on foreign labor, and address demographic imbalances within the nation. This latest initiative by the Kuwait Municipality aligns with the broader national strategy to foster a more inclusive and robust workforce.