Hiring ban on many jobs to continue

Muscat: The ban on hiring of expatriate workers to a number of professions has been extended for a period of another six months.

A decision in this regard was taken by Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser al Bakri, Minister of Manpower on Sunday.

According to Article 1 of Ministerial Decision 73/2019, the recruitment freeze, which has been in force since January 28, 2018, will continue for six more months.

'The ban on permits to bring expatriate manpower in the private sector establishments for the professions specified in the decision shall continue for a period of six months”, a statement quoting the ministerial decision said.

However, the decision will not affect the existing visa holders in these professions, the statement added.

The professions to which foreign workers cannot be hired include information and technology, media, finance, sales and marketing, administration, human resources, architecture and aviation sectors.

The statement said that establishments registered with the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Riyada) are exempted from the ban.