MUSCAT: The Ministry of Labour opened the third edition of its Labour Forum in Salalah with the launch of a national policy on employment, at a point when the government is working towards 60,000 jobs for Omanis this year and 300,000 over the five-year plan period.
The forum is part of its ongoing efforts to foster national dialogue on the future of the labour market, develop policies and legislation, and foresee economic and technological transformations, thereby contributing to building a more efficient, flexible and sustainable labour market. The event will run through August 13.
The ministry said the policy also seeks to strengthen labour market governance, improve the efficiency of employment institutions and programmes, and support the market’s recovery after periods of disruption.
The Eleventh Five-Year Development Plan projects around 300,000 direct opportunities for Omanis between 2026 and 2030, an average of 60,000 a year, against 175,000 delivered under the previous plan. The practical test of the new policy will be whether it changes how those targets are met, or restates them.
The opening of the forum was held under the auspices of Shaikh Salim bin Mustahail al Maashani, Adviser at the Diwan of Royal Court, in the presence of several officials from Oman and abroad.
Nasser bin Salim al Hadhrami, Director-General of the Directorate-General of Labour in Dhofar Governorate, in his speech emphasised that the Ministry of Labour is moving steadily towards developing the labour market through partnership and innovation.
He noted that the launch of the National Employment Policy represents a strategic milestone, laying the groundwork for a new phase in national talent development and converting it into a driving force for economic growth, thus enhancing the labour market's readiness for future requirements.
Fayez bin Ali al Mutairi, Director-General of the Arab Labour Organisation, praised the qualitative development achieved by the Sultanate of Oman over the past two years in its labour system. This has been realised through completing executive frameworks for the Labour Law, updating the social protection system, and issuing legislation and regulations governing modern work patterns, alongside developing the unified system for extending insurance protection to GCC citizens working outside their home countries, and issuing the occupational diseases regulation, thereby strengthening the social protection ecosystem and establishing a safer and more stable work environment.
In turn, Mohammad bin Hassan al Obaidli, Director-General of the Executive Bureau of the Council of Ministers of Labour and Council of Ministers of Social Affairs in the GCC States, affirmed that GCC countries have achieved tangible progress in developing labour legislation, social insurance, employment and training programmes, digital transformation, and occupational safety.
He underscored the importance of enhancing Gulf coordination, exchanging expertise, developing joint indicators to anticipate labour market needs, and building regional and international partnerships that contribute to supporting the development journey.
The opening ceremony witnessed the launch of the National Employment Policy, which aims to address employment challenges, organise supply and demand sides in alignment with economic and social policies, and provide decent and fair job opportunities. This is to be achieved by developing the skills of the national workforce, aligning them with current and future labour market needs, enhancing labour market governance, raising the efficiency of its institutions and programmes, and mitigating the repercussions of crises, thereby supporting labour market recovery and placing human capital at the core of development.
The opening ceremony also featured the screening of three visual films titled "Oman: Land of Beauty and Opportunity," "Empowerment and Localisation," and "Inspiring Entrepreneurs," alongside honouring strategic partners, success partners, and a number of entrepreneurs. On the sidelines of the forum, the student projects exhibition "Future Talents: Thought and Action" was inaugurated.
Running until July 29, the exhibition showcases examples of student projects and innovations, reflecting youth capabilities for innovation, promoting an entrepreneurial culture, and linking entrepreneurial ideas with labour market needs. The forum's activities also include organising the Work Horizons Forum titled "Towards a Safe and Sustainable Labour Market," a meeting between the Minister of Labour and business owners, labour market labs, an excellence and leadership honouring ceremony, the Individual and Institutional Excellence System Forum, and the "Government Readiness for a Sustainable Future" conference. It is worth noting that the forum serves as a national platform for dialogue, experience exchange, and partnership building, as well as discussing priority labour market issues to contribute to policy development, productivity enhancement, national talent empowerment, and the establishment of a more competitive and sustainable work environment, ultimately leading to a labour market capable of keeping pace with changes and turning challenges into developmental opportunities.
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