STAFF REPORTER
MUSCAT, April 27
The social protection initiatives have emerged as one of the major government initiatives to guard the interests of the nationals in the Sultanate.
The period of disbursement of benefit has been extended until the end of 2021.
Part of it is the Employment Security Scheme, which is a national project based on social solidarity.
The disbursement of the benefits to the beneficiaries began in November 2020, and the number of beneficiaries reached approximately 2,800.
In March 2021, the number of beneficiaries reached nearly 6,000 who were entitled to the Employment Security Scheme benefits.
A source at the Public Authority for Social Insurance (PASI) said, “The period of benefit entitlement may reach one year or 14 months only, as exceptions ending at the end of 2021.”
His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik blesses the social protection initiatives.
It comes as a continuation of the packages and motivational initiatives previously approved in the economic and social aspects and part of the Oman 2040 Vision.
EMPLOYMENT SECURITY SCHEME
The Royal directives called for establishing the Employment Security Scheme and preparing its work mechanisms and financing it with RO 10 million from His Majesty.
The scheme augured well as it offered a ray of hope among the nationals whose services were terminated due to reasons beyond their control.
The order ensured a decent life for them. The high blessing was complemented by supportive initiatives from the private and public sector institutions.
The Employment Security Scheme is a national project based on social solidarity.
Khalifa bin Salem al Ghufaili, Director of the Legal Department — Head of the Follow-up and Supervision Committee for the Implementation of the Employment Security Scheme at PASI, stated: “In fact, the Employment Security Scheme is a modern scheme in which PASI began disbursing benefits to eligible beneficiaries in November 2020. While contributions began to be collected at the beginning of 2021, the scheme covers a very important category that passes through a temporary situation between losing a previous job and gaining a subsequent job opportunity, and thus the source of their income was cut off, so the Employment Security Scheme came to cover the reasonable standard of living for this category.”
As for the number of people benefiting from the Employment Security Scheme benefit, he says, “We started disbursing the benefit for the first time in November 2020 and the number of beneficiaries was approximately 2,800, in March 2021 the number reached to about 6,000 who deserved the benefit of Employment Security. There were people who obtained job opportunities despite the great challenges in the labour market.
As for the package of social protection initiatives, he said, “The PASI was pleased with this initiative, and its management directed to expedite the implementation of this package as the origin of the benefit disbursement is due for a period of six months. This benefit will be extended until the end of this year, which means the beneficiary may be entitled to a period of one year or even 14 months by the end of this year, where these exceptions will cease.”
Furthermore, PASI will continue to disburse the benefits during this period without the need for the beneficiary to take any action.
The period of receiving benefit entitlement requests will also be until the end of this year. However, the insured person must submit the request on the PASI website, the Ministry of Labour, the website of the General Federation of Oman Workers or at ‘Sanad’ centres, emphasising the importance of fulfilling the eligibility conditions when applying.
Al Ghufaili clarified about the fresh job-seekers and said, “According to the scheme and based on Article (22), that stipulates: “It is permissible to disburse an aid to the job seeker for the first time after (3) three years of applying this scheme, following the rules and the conditions that come in the decision of the chairman, after the approval of the Council of Ministers”.
Therefore, PASI is keen to study this matter and decide on it before the expiry of the specified period.
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