The Ministry of Labour in Oman has declared its intention to issue a series of decisions aimed at bolstering employment for Omani nationals within the private sector. These measures, which are part of the Ministry’s commitment to regulating the labor market, are set to take effect in September 2024. The Ministry further details on these decisions before their implementation in September 2024. Meanwhile, private sector businesses are advised to proactively assess and adjust their compliance strategies to avoid potential fines and restrictions in their dealings with government entities.
Key aspects of the upcoming regulations include:
1. Revision of Work Permit Fees: The Ministry plans to revise the fees associated with work permits, introduce incentives for meeting Omanisation rates, and increase penalties for non-compliance.
2. Enhanced Monitoring and Inspection: The Ministry will intensify its monitoring and inspection efforts to ensure compliance with the labor market regulations.
3. Financial Support for Omanisation Efforts: A financial plan will be established to aid the Ministry’s initiatives to increase Omani employment in the private sector.
4. Enforcement of Omanisation Rates: Government units and companies in Oman will be prohibited from engaging with private sector entities that do not meet their Omanisation quotas. To enforce this, private sector companies must secure an electronic certificate from the Ministry of Labour, verifying their adherence to these employment standards.
5. Expansion of Reserved Professions for Omanis: The list of professions reserved for Omani nationals will be expanded by over 30. Additionally, certain positions will now require the employment of at least one Omani, details of which will be specified in the forthcoming decisions.
