US job figures in Iraq overstated

[leftchick]

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/B69EEA66-77D7-46FE-8610-14E76D58AEF4.htm

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But critics on Thursday said US officials manipulated the figures in order to paint a rosier picture on the ground.

Increased employment in Iraq is seen as a measure of progress as the country moves towards January elections.

State Department figures released on 22 September show the US government overstated by more than 30,000 the number of Iraqis working on projects funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), one of Washington's biggest employers in Iraq.

The Iraq Weekly Status report said 45,844 Iraqis were employed in projects funded by USAID, according to 15 September data, compared with 88,436 recorded in the previous week's report, amounting to a 48.2% decrease.

The 88,436 figure was later adjusted to 55,463 jobs.


.... Imagine that! Inflating jobs figures! :eyes: