National

Ministerial Decision 115/2020 states the authorization to bring in non-Omani workers to private sector establishments working in the cleaning sector shall be in accordance with the requirements: The employer must be fully devoted to the management of the facility, insured with the General Authority for Social Security, hold a valid leadership card, and provide valid specified documents.

Ministerial Decision 157/2020 amends Article 24 of the Executive Regulations of the Foreigners’ Residence Act in which it states: “A foreigner’s residence permit may be transferred from one employer to another, given that they have acquired a license to recruit workers, provided that proof of end or termination of contract is submitted, and evidence indicating the approval of the competent government authority on the second employer’s contract with the foreigner, in according with the regulations specific to the competent authority. The transfer of the residency of the foreigner entails the transfer of the residency of his family members to the second employer when the necessary conditions for their residency are fulfilled.”

The percentage of the national workforce in the private sector establishments working in the fisheries sector is determined by the ministerial decision according to a schedule that progresses yearly. For example, in coastal fishing and trade, the percentage of national workers is to be 15% in 2020, 17% in 2021, 20% in 2022, 23% in 2023, and 25% in 2024.

The percentage of the national workforce in the private sector establishments working in the mining sector is determined by the ministerial decision according to a schedule that progresses yearly.

The ministerial decision sets regulations for the recruitment of non-Omani workers in the sector of carpentry, blacksmithing, and aluminum work, stating that the permission to recruit a non-Omani worker is given on a temporary basis and shall be in accordance with the project agreement and the value of the project, provided that the employer pledges to deport the authorized workers after the project ends, or to renew their work permits after submitting another project agreement or extending the original agreement.

The ministerial decision states that land and real estate that non-Omanis are prohibited from owning in the Sultanate must be specified as follows: Agricultural lands in all provinces; or Other lands and real estate in the governorates, states and mountains specified in Article 1 of the law, as well as in all islands in the Sultanate, and in the surroundings of palaces, headquarters of security and military authorities specified under the text of Article 2, and in the heritage and old neighborhoods specified by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture; this does not include land and real estate located in finished tourist housing compounds.

Ministerial Resolution No. 281 calls on all private establishments to limit the number of employees working on premises and labourers working on sites to not more than 30 per cent, with the implementation of social distancing and protective and sanitization measures, and to refer suspected COVID-19 cases to the health authorities.

The Minister of Labor issued a decision related to the new work contract for domestic workers in order to regulate the work relationship between them and their employers. The contract allows workers to resign and keep hold of their own passport, limits working hours to 8, details right to paid holidays, and other improvements on working and living conditions

The ministerial decree specifies a framework for the recruitment of non-Omani workers and for bringing them into to the country to work in the construction and brick-making sector according to specified quotas.

Ministerial Resolution No. 279 aims at regulating the contractual relationship between employers and employees over the period during which precautionary measures for controlling the spread of the coronavirus pandemic are in place. It only applies to expatriates working in private sector companies that are registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.