Oman strengthens ILO ties, retains labour rights ranking

GENEVA, June 6
Dr Mahad bin Said Baowain, Minister of Labour, met with Gilbert Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO, in Geneva on the sidelines of the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference. Both sides reviewed areas of cooperation and explored opportunities to further strengthen technical collaboration in labour, employment, social protection and human resources development.
During the meeting, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization commended the successful launch of Oman’s Social Protection System, which was inaugurated during the conference.
He praised Oman’s efforts in strengthening its social protection framework, enhancing sustainability and expanding inclusiveness, while also acknowledging progress in social dialogue and positive developments in the Omani labour market.
Dr Mahad bin Said Baowain reaffirmed Oman's commitment to further strengthening its partnership with ILO and benefiting from its expertise and technical programmes to support labour market policy development and national priorities.
In a related development, Oman maintained its position in Tier 3 of the 2026 Global Rights Index for the second consecutive year, reflecting continued stability in the labour environment and ongoing national efforts to enhance trade union rights, strengthen social dialogue and improve labour relations.
The ranking highlights continued labour market reforms, including updates to labour legislation, improved mechanisms for social dialogue and strengthened labour dispute settlement systems. These reforms are aligned with international labour standards and aim to support a balanced and stable working environment that promotes economic growth while safeguarding the rights of workers and employers.
The Global Rights Index is published annually by the International Trade Union Confederation and is released in conjunction with the International Labour Conference held in Geneva.
Meanwhile, Oman, in cooperation with the ILO, also launched an international report in Geneva documenting its pioneering experience in redesigning its social protection system, highlighting the country’s integrated approach to welfare, financial sustainability and economic development.
The report, titled ‘Redesigning the Social Protection System in the Sultanate of Oman,’ was unveiled during an official ceremony held under the auspices of Dr Baowain in the presence of Gilbert Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO.
The launch drew broad participation from representatives of diplomatic missions, international organisations and social protection experts, reflecting growing global interest in Oman’s model and the tangible outcomes achieved through its reforms.
Oman’s experience is being recognised as one of the leading models in the region, having redesigned its social protection system through an integrated national framework that combines social welfare, social insurance, fiscal sustainability and economic growth.
The reform journey began in 2020 with a clear vision aimed at creating a fairer, more sustainable and future-ready system. This included the enactment of the Social Protection Law, the unification of 11 pension funds into a single entity, and an expansion of social coverage across various stages of life.
According to the report, the Social Protection Fund currently serves around 3.3 million people, with system coverage reaching approximately 64 per cent of the total population. Active insured individuals have exceeded 1.67 million, while beneficiaries of social protection benefits crossed 1.55 million during the first quarter of 2026.
The report underscores Oman’s reliance on actuarial studies, advanced economic modelling and long-term projections, coupled with broad community participation, to ensure the sustainability of the system for present and future generations.
The ILO described Oman’s experience as a balanced model that successfully combines social welfare with economic sustainability, positioning Oman as an emerging global reference point in the future of social protection.