Muscat: Have you heard of the term 'side hustle'? According to Merriam Webster, it refers to work performed for supplementary income on top of a person’s primary job. And while it hasn’t been researched properly in Oman, side jobs are more common than you think.
According to data released last year, the number of registered home businesses at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion reached 13,780. While the number of registered freelancers in Oman reached 355 as of November 2023.
“Life is difficult and salaries are often not enough. A person cannot rely on monthly salary alone, and must search for other sources of income,” shared 40-year old business owner Huwaida al Shaikhani.
Huwaida, an administration employee at a government entity, owns a home cooking business, where she supplies different kinds of food in a store and also takes orders from various clients.
She started her business when she was 19 after graduating high school when she could not finding a job. However, even after getting a full time job, she decided to keep her business running.
“Business is a hobby that I have invested time in and I enjoy it, but it also allows me to live comfortably especially amidst rising living cost.” 32-year-old Hilal al Battashi shared a similar sentiment. He’s a full time graphic designer at a government entity, and accepts freelance clients regularly.
“I started freelancing at the start of my career, and it allows me to have more income to spend on myself,” he said.
According to him, the lack of financial incentives at government establishments is another driver behind his decision to accept freelance work. “Unlike the private sector, the government sector does not offer any bonuses which makes the working environment very unmotivating," he said.
Al Battashi first started freelancing at the time of beginning his full time employment and has grown to dependent on it. “I don’t think I can imagine my life without my freelance practice now,” he said.
According to him, the number of individuals with side hustles is growing in Oman. "There are so many companies in Oman who are searching for skilled freelancers.
Companies these days are more interested in hiring freelancing as opposed to hiring full or part time workers,” he said.
While the number of individuals with 'side hustles' in Oman still remains unknown, the government has been promoting freelancing as a source of primary or supplementary income. The National Employment Programme recently released a package to support self-employed individuals in Oman.
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