Muscat, Nov 5 - The Ministry of Manpower has urged all, including the expatriate community, not to hire illegal workers as house cleaners, gardeners and car cleaners.
Seeking the expatriate community’s help in its fight against illegal workers, the ministry said its inspectors operate 24/7 across Oman and any illegal labour operations should be reported on 80077000.
The ministry said there was a lack of awareness on laws and procedures related to illegal labour.
The ministry said around 20,000 illegal workers are arrested every year for labour violations, who consume government resources that can be put to use elsewhere.
Such violations also undermine the efforts to develop Oman’s economy, it said.
It said the most instances of illegal labour arise as companies set to sell employment visas to those who want to work in Oman in the black market.
Penalties for labour violations are: Labour sponsor: RO 1,000-2,000 fine and a ban on use of ministry services for two years; employers: RO 1,000-2,000 fine and a ban on use of ministry services for two years, besides deportation (flight) costs.
Illegal workers are fined up to RO 800 and deported, and banned from working in Oman.
The ministry said that to avoid paying penalty, many sponsors report illegal workers as runaways or absconders.
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