NEWS

Halliburton says has 100,000 job seekers for Iraq Monday May 3, 8:10 pm ET

HOUSTON, May 3 (Summary of Reuters Article) - Halliburton said it has 100,000 applicants seeking jobs with the company in Iraq, despite a spate of attacks on civilians there. The company's CEO said recent reports of its workers leaving Iraq because of the increased violence are overblown. He said Halliburton is sending 200 to 300 people per week to Iraq and Kuwait and that there has not been a reduction in the quality or the quantity of people applying for jobs. The number of KBR employees killed over the past year in Iraq and Kuwait is 34. About 50 foreign civilians were taken hostage in Iraq last month. Most were eventually released. An Italian hostage was killed and three compatriots are still being held. Halliburton employees can earn up to $80,000 tax-free for a 12-month stint in Iraq, and can make as much as $120,000 by working extra hours. Halliburton's CEO said he was satisfied that increased security around the convoys was enough to keep employees in Iraq safe.