Oman to announce labour reforms in November

Oman will reportedly announce labour reform proposals, including those relating to the no objection certificate (NOC) for workers switching jobs next month.

Times of Oman cited Talal Al Rahbi, deputy secretary general at the Supreme Council for Planning and general coordinator of economic diversification programme Tanfeedh, as saying the proposals would be announced on November 20.

“A lot of topics regarding manpower and labour laws were discussed extensively by both the private and government sector in the presence of officials from the Ministry of Manpower including the minister, undersecretary, director generals, academia and society members. Several concerns were highlighted, discussed and solutions were agreed upon,” Al Rahbi was quoted as saying.

He said the government would also be launching a survey to ask Omanis for their feedback on the proposals.

The implementation of the proposed amendments will then begin early next year.

Read: Oman asks public, private sector CEOs to help forge new five-year plan

Ministry of Manpower advisor Said bin Nasser Al Saad said earlier this month that the government was seriously considering removing the requirement for expats to obtain a NOC to change jobs.

This came following reports that some companies were denying workers the certificate unless they agreed to give up their end of service gratuity payment.

Read: Oman to scrap no objection certificate for workers switching jobs