Muscat: The government has provided 70,000 jobs for Omanis last year in line with goals of Oman Vision 2040. The Ministry of Labour (MoL) implemented several initiatives in the labour and human resources development sectors in terms of employment and replacement last year. The number of jobs filled exceeded 40,000 jobs out of a target of 35,000 jobs, representing more than 115 per cent. It included more than 20,000 jobs in the government sector, more than 17,000 jobs in the private sector, and more than 2,000 jobs in non-employment-related training (indirect employment). In addition, more than 29,000 individuals entered the job market.
These figures were revealed by the Minister of Labour Dr Mahad bin Said Baowain in a press conference on Wednesday to highlight its annual plans
under the theme "Renewed Labour Market and Organised Employment Sectors." Emphasising a proactive approach to tackling unemployment challenges, the ministry has outlined a comprehensive strategy to promote jobs and raise professional standards across the workforce in the Sultanate of Oman.
The minster said during 2023 the aim was to hire 6,000 job-seekers in the public sector, but the ministry managed to hire more than 17,000 employees.
The ministry articulated its commitment to bolstering national programmes for training and qualifying job-seekers, focusing on both public and private sector employment. Additionally, it highlighted initiatives to support recruitment endeavours overseen by governmental bodies and private sector units. Furthermore, the ministry emphasised the importance of strengthening national capacities and talent management by developing human capital in administrative units and implementing performance measurement systems at both individual and institutional levels.
Key Initiatives for 2024
National Strategy for Professional Standards: The ministry aims to develop policies and strategies to promote investment attraction by developing labour market policies, preparing and implementing the National Strategy for Professional Standards, and monitoring the national employment policy.
Improving Service Quality: The ministry targets improving the quality of services this year by activating the digital job balance database, developing the ministry's call centre, enhancing services provided to beneficiaries, implementing the ISO 9001 system in government units, and improving current electronic services.
Digital Transformation: In the area of digital transformation, the ministry continues to link electronically with government units, redevelop the public employment system, as well as the work permit system, employment services, worker care services, workforce registration system, administrative and financial affairs services, and launch new services for employers and employees through the "Ma’ak " mobile application as a second channel for the ministry's online services, continuous improvement of current online services, and activating remote work capabilities for the ministry's employees.
GCC link
The presentation made by Dr Mahad addressed the ministry's achievements during 2023 in the legislation and laws governing the labour market and professional localisation. He explained that the MoL has studied many professional standards and labour market needs, and adopted general frameworks for implementing the professional accreditation system. During the past year, the Ministry linked 3,624 job titles to the Gulf Classification and Professional Description Guide.
The design of 20 e-training programmes were completed, covering effective communication skills, performance indicator measurement, individual planning, emotional intelligence, feedback methods, low performance evaluation methods, goal and key result methodology, work ethics, contemporary innovation and creativity, achieving job excellence, leadership preparations, agile methodology, governance and risk management, e-marketing, corruption prevention, career burnout, negotiation skills, self-empowerment, excellence in customer service, change management, and project management.
In its efforts to create job opportunities for job-seekers, the ministry supervised 16 economic sectors, including tourism, food security, transportation and logistics, health, energy and mining, technology and communications, public services, manufacturing industries, private economic zones, school education, banking, higher education, urban development, telecommunications, sports, and the stock market.
The ministry will provide 1,000 job opportunities through the agreement to develop inspection services and security support. This agreement also aims to protect small and medium enterprises from unfair competition, combat hidden trade, and improve inspection and security support services.
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