Riyadh, Jun 6 (IANS): Saudi Arabia, one of the world's largest oil exporters, would create 66,000 new jobs in the education and health sectors across the kingdom, the Al-Watan newspaper said.
Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz ordered the creation of the jobs, of which 52,000 will be in the education sector.
The plan for the new jobs aims to quell any grievances over unemployment in the kingdom. There have been small protests by unemployed graduates and former teachers over jobs and better pay, officials said.
Earlier this year, more than 200 unemployed graduates gathered outside the education ministry in the capital Riyadh to demand employment.
In March, the king issued a host of royal decrees to ease economic and social pressure in the kingdom, including a monthly unemployment allowance of $533.