Muscat: The Ministry of Labour has issued a new directive aimed at enhancing Omanisation rates within the private sector enterprises. This initiative seeks to regulate the labor market, facilitating the entry of Omani individuals into professions and job positions that align with their capabilities.
Entities found to violate these regulations will be subject to penalties, while those that comply with the directives will receive incentives provided by the ministry. The implementation date for these measures is set for September, during which time, expatriates will be precluded from securing employment in a list comprising 30 professions.
In a press release, the Ministry of Labour stated: "In the spirit of collaboration between the Ministry of Labour and the private sector, and in alignment with the relevant authorities, the ministry is committed to the regulation of the labor market. This aims to ensure that Omani citizens have access to suitable professions and job opportunities.
Under these directives, all governmental entities and state-owned companies will be prohibited from engaging with private sector establishments that fail to meet the Omanisation percentages mandated by the government. Additionally, all private sector entities are mandated to secure an electronic certificate from the Ministry of Labour, verifying their compliance with occupational standards, including the Omanisation percentages set by the government.
Furthermore, these directives prohibit the inclusion of over 30 professions in the list from which non-Omanis are ineligible for employment. Private sector establishments are ordered to ensure that at least one Omani is employed in roles and professions identified as suitable for them, in line with the Ministry's forthcoming regulations.
To support these efforts, the Ministry of Labour has approved a financial package aimed at assisting companies in their initiatives to elevate their Omanisation percentages.
In addition, there will be a review of the fees associated with work permits to encourage compliance, with penalties escalating for establishments not adhering to the Omanisation directives.
The relevant authorities will commence follow-up and inspection campaigns to monitor adherence to these directives.
The Ministry of Labour will provide further details on the aforementioned decisions prior to their implementation in September and urge all parties to collaborate in a manner that serves the public interest.
