By Fahad Al Ghadani — MUSCAT: MARCH 7 - Businesspersons blackballed by the Ministry of Manpower for various labour related infractions can no longer apply for expatriate labour clearances as per a new Ministerial Decision. Decision 95/2017 issued by the Minister of Manpower mandates a background check of the identification cards of businesspersons seeking expat labour clearances. Applicants who are found to have run afoul of the labour rules or had their licences temporarily suspended will be denied clearances. Additionally, the principal applicant can also be refused clearance requests if their business partners are found to have been similarly blackballed in the past.
As word of the new decision went viral on social media, many people voiced concern about its likely implications for their businesses. Weighing in on the issue, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) warned via its official Twitter account that the decision zeroes in on individual promoters rather than their companies. OCCI officials urged the Minister of Manpower to review the decision and shift the focus of the background check on companies per se and not individuals.
Last month, the Ministry of Manpower issued a decision to hike visa fees by 50 per cent (equivalent to RO 100), a measure that evoked a mixed response from local businesses at a time when they were hoping for liberalised labour and investment policies. Consequently, the Ministry amended the decision to make the fee hike applicable for two years. In its revised form, the decision sets the fee for the recruitment, work permit and registration of expatriate workers at RO 301, up from RO 201 previously. The rule is applicable to all new employment visas as well as for the renewal of old visas.
As for domestic workers, fees for the recruitment, work permit and registration of workers of the foreign labour falling in this category has remained unchanged at RO 141 per worker up to a maximum of three workers. From the fourth worker onwards, the fee has been increased to RO 241.
However, temporary permits will be available for the recruitment of foreign workers, the statement added.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
