Rules to regulate labour activities from Sept 1

Vinod Nair

Muscat, Aug 27

The new decision to regulate the labour market and streamline the practice of several professional activities will take effect on September 1. The Ministry of Labour (MoL) has issued a warning to individuals and companies against submitting forged vocational classification and licensing certificates, as several cases of document falsification have been uncovered.

The ministry will maintain strict oversight of training institutes and assessment centres authorised to evaluate and licence professions requiring vocational classification. Any licences or certifications not officially approved by the ministry will be considered invalid.

Those found guilty of submitting forged documents will face legal action in accordance with existing regulations.

Some HR executives in private sector establishments told the Observer that these rules will help regulate the sector. They are working to understand the finer details of this decision to provide assurances to their employees.

The decision applies to those employed in the logistics sector, including drivers of refrigerated trucks, water tankers, trailers, waste transport trucks, and food delivery representatives and supervisors, both Omanis and expatriates.

It will be mandatory to obtain a professional practice licence from the Sectoral Skills Unit for the Logistics Sector for the issuance or renewal of work permits.

Both Omani and expatriate work permits will not be issued or renewed without submitting the approved licence.

Licence applications must be submitted electronically via the official platform of the Sectoral Skills Unit for the Logistics Sector.

Similarly, all current employees in the accounting, finance and auditing fields, as well as individuals seeking employment in these areas, must obtain a professional classification certificate as a basic requirement for issuing or renewing work permits.

This certificate will be issued by the Sector Skills Unit, licensed by the Ministry, in cooperation with the Omani Association of Certified Public Accountants. Nineteen professions have been listed in this sector, including assistant internal and external auditors and financial assistants, among others.

The same requirements apply to individuals working in or seeking employment in certain positions within the oil and gas sector. They must acquire a professional practice licence from the Energy and Minerals Sector Skills Unit, under the Oman Energy Society. This licence is a compulsory prerequisite for both initial work permit issuance and subsequent renewals for the affected roles.