Speaking in a televised interview with WTV channel and Tabadul Platform late on Saturday, a number of Petroleum Engineering graduates and jobseekers concurred that they were hit by the reality of high unemployment as the National Oil Corporation (NOC) refused to assign them.
Shukri Qarish: “Public institutions are systematically destructing the Libyan youth.”
Shukri Qarish, coordinator of oil and gas engineering graduates’ protest called on the NOC’s chairman, Mustafa Sanalla, to find solutions for college graduates and appoint them in the corporation.
Qarish called for employing Petroleum Engineering graduates due to their very high level of competence, compared to those appointed in public institutions.
He also described a large number of NOC employees as incompetent, accusing them of corruption.
During his interview, Qarish called for the necessity to liquidate state institutions.
According to Qarish, the Ministry of Labor and Rehabilitation confirmed that the National Oil Corporation had refused to employ the candidates referred by the Ministry of Labor claiming that it had its own labour office.
“Competencies are on the street, given a choice between immigration, crime, military operational employment, or sinking in rough seas.” he said, accusing public institutions of continuing the process of appointments for non-specialists and the systematic policy of destruction of the Libyan youth.
He also accused public corporations of continuing to appoint non-specialists and adopting the policy of systematic destruction of the Libyan youth.
Yussef Al-Shteiwi: “I am the first in my class, and I have not worked yet.”
Yousef Al-Shteiwi, a graduate and jobseeker, also confirmed that he has not been appointed yet, despite that he had graduated top of a class composed of 17 individuals.
“However, others were appointed through “mediation.” he said.
While expressing his surprise at the bitter reality that he encountered after graduation, Al-Shteiwi said that foreign companies require relevant experience for the NOC’s posts.
Badr Souissi: “I had to work in the army, and I thought about migration across the sea.”
“When I crashed with the reality of high unemployment, I was obliged to join the military institution.” Said Badr Souissi, a graduate and jobseeker, adding that he thought about migrating across the sea.
Ayman Mansouri: Libyan oil engineer working as a salesman
Ayman Mansouri, a graduate and jobseeker, said that the National Oil Corporation should bear full responsibility along with the Ministry of Labor and Rehabilitation.
“When I submitted my dossier to the NOC, I was genuinely surprised when an official told me that I will not get the job as long as I don’t have contacts.” He said, pointing out that he works as a salesman at a clothing store in view of the circumstances and difficult conditions.
