Muscat: The Ministry of Labour in the Sultanate of Oman has released a comprehensive set of guidelines aimed at assisting employers in the proper execution of wage transfers via the Wage Protection System (WPS). These guidelines are intended to promote adherence to regulations and ensure that employees receive their wages in a timely and accurate manner.
The key aspects emphasized in the guidelines include:
1. Clear Month and Year Specification: The fields for month and year must accurately indicate the period for which wages are owed, rather than the date of payment. For example, wages for December 2024 that are transferred on January 2, 2025, should be recorded as applicable to December 2024.
2. Proper Employee Identification: Employers must specify the ID type as either "Civil Number" or a bank-specific abbreviation, ensuring it matches the Civil Number on the identity card for Omani nationals or the residence card for expatriates. The identifier value must correspond to the Civil Number. For accounts linked to passport numbers, the code "P" should be used, with the identifier being the passport number.
3. Correct Employer Identification: The "Employer CR Number" field must accurately represent the employer's Commercial Registration Number.
4. Compliance with Employment Contracts: A valid employment contract is required for all employees. Wage transfers must be consistent with the terms outlined in the contract, and any additional allowances, overtime, or deductions should be clearly detailed in the appropriate fields.
These guidelines are essential for employers to ensure compliance with the Wage Protection System, which plays a vital role in the lawful and proper transfer of wages to employees in Oman.
