Muscat: “The government has been implementing various corrective measures periodically to regulate the labour market and address any discrepancies” said Dr Mahad bin Saeed Baowin, Minister of Labour, in an interview with Oman TV.
The government has decided to waive fines accumulated for more than seven years and cancel fees incurred during the COVID-19 period. Individuals will have until the end of July to correct their status, either by renewing licences or terminating services without penalties.
“We want to give those wishing to regularise their status the opportunity to remain in the country and work under the right conditions. They can renew their work permits for the next two years. If an employer does not wish to renew a worker’s permit, they can terminate their services and provide a travel ticket. All existing fines and fees will also be cancelled,” the minister of labour pointed out.
“The Wage Protection System (WPS) is not new but has been mandatory since mid-2023 to ensure that private sector workers’ salaries are transferred through a transparent system. Currently, the fine is imposed on the registry only, not based on the number of workers. This will continue for the first two to three months, after which the second phase will begin, applying fines based on the number of workers whose wages are not transferred through the WPS.” minister stated.
“The labour market faces several challenges due to its constantly evolving nature, with new types of jobs and specialisations emerging,” said the Minister. “To address these challenges, it is essential to focus on training programmes linked to employment or on-the-job training across various sectors. Additionally, there are many expatriates working in low-skilled jobs or roles that are not in demand among citizens.”
“The regulations issued by the Ministry of Labour are not obstacles but rather commitments that ensure everyone’s rights, including the timely payment of wages,” the Minister said. “Organised companies provide higher quality services and avoid harmful practices such as hidden trade. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, the ministry successfully protected around 50,000 to 60,000 jobs by negotiating with companies to retain the largest possible number of Omanis.”
He added that the public sector absorbs around 12,000 to 16,000 new employees or job seekers annually.
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