MUSCAT: Oman has retained its Tier 2 standing in the 2026 U.S. State Department Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, capping off a year marked by legislative overhauls and expanded survivor safeguards.
The rating recognises the Sultanate of Oman’s active momentum to dismantle trafficking networks, overhaul worker protection laws, and expand access to emergency care.
The report highlighted Oman’s continuous efforts to upgrade its national anti-trafficking ecosystem by modernising legislation, expanding protection and care services for victims, raising the operational readiness of law enforcement agencies, scaling up prevention programmes, and expanding international cooperation in this field.
The report noted the enactment of the 2025 Law on Combating Human Trafficking, which bolstered the legislative framework by imposing stiffer penalties, broadening the definition of trafficking crimes to cover various forms of exploitation, and introducing statutory provisions to reinforce victim protection and safeguard survivor rights. Furthermore, the report outlined that Oman continued to streamline victim identification and referral procedures to specialised care centres.
The government provides comprehensive protection services, including shelter, food, medical care, legal aid, counselling, and financial allowances, along with alternative legal options for foreign victims regarding residency and employment.
The report pointed to the ongoing operation of specialised anti-trafficking units within the Royal Oman Police and the Office of the Public Prosecution, alongside dedicated training programmes for law enforcement personnel and strengthened bilateral cooperation with foreign governments on law enforcement measures.
On the prevention front, the report referenced the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCHT) and its continued implementation of the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking (2024–2026). Efforts included expanding public awareness campaigns—specifically targeting groups most vulnerable to trafficking risks—and enhancing reporting channels, including promoting the dedicated human trafficking hotline.
Additionally, the report acknowledged new regulations issued by the Ministry of Labor in October 2025 designed to enhance domestic worker protections. It also noted Oman’s expanded cooperation with labour-sending countries through memorandums of understanding, executive action programmes, and bilateral agreements. These ongoing measures reflect the Sultanate of Oman’s commitment to continually refining its national anti-trafficking framework, safeguarding victims, preventing crime, and furthering international cooperation in law enforcement. — ONA
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