Oman restricts visas for Bangladeshi workers

Oman has reportedly implemented restrictions aimed at reducing the number of Bangladeshi workers coming to the country.

Times of Oman cited a senior police official as confirming that the country was actively seeking to reduce its Bangladeshi workforce.

“It’s not for all professions. The focus is only on [reducing] the unskilled workforce. Sanad offices have been directed by the Royal Oman Police to follow these instructions,” he was quoted as saying.

This followed reports that hundreds of workers without visas were seeking temporary employment in Hamriya and other areas of Muscat.

An official at the Bangladeshi embassy said it had not been officially told of the restrictions and the information contradicts recent increases in workers from the country.

Oman’s Bangladeshi workforce increased 1.2 per cent from June to July, reaching 659,366, and climbed 1.9 per cent in May, according to official data.

However, an official from a manpower supply agency told the publication that gaining visa approvals for Bangladeshi workers was proving difficult.

“If we have 10 visa clearances, then we can get one visa for a Bangladeshi worker,” Sateesh Kumar, manager of the Durar Al Aliya manpower supply agency, was quoted as saying.

Others said the lack of workers had forced them to hire visa-free workers to complete construction projects.