Labour Migration

Determines the nationalised jobs in each of the work sectors, in light of the nationalisation plans and nationalisation rates in each of them.

The labor authorities in Morocco have launched a short-term work authorization (STWA) which allows foreign nationals to conduct employment activities, including hands-on work, for up to three months for an employer in Morocco. The STWA will make it easier for foreign nationals to perform urgent, short-term work for an employer in Morocco, as the administrative requirements are less cumbersome than obtaining a long-term work permit.

The law specifies that migrants who do not benefit from the provisions of the Social Protection Law, are entitled to a gratuity of not less than a basic salary for each year of service. Previously, the gratuity was half a month’s wage for each year for the first three years and a month’s wage per year for every subsequent year. The new labor law explicitly mandates a 60-day period during which the employer holds the responsibility to arrange the repatriation of migrant workers. Previously, the law noted no timeframe for repatriation. Importantly, migrant workers who initiate legal proceedings to recover their dues from the employer now have to retain the right to stay in Oman until the claim is decided upon. All costs associated with staying in Oman in such cases are borne by the worker.

This law significantly expands protection to migrant workers in Oman, who represent over three quarters of the country’s working population. Migrant workers will be covered for employment injury, maternity and sickness under the same terms as national workers. For the first time in the region, a national provident fund will also be established to administer end-of-service benefits to migrant workers. 

The country has abolished its 2016 FlexiPermit system, which allowed expatriates to enter and reside in the country for two years without a predetermined employer.

Employers are prohibited from confiscating employees’ official documents and workers should not be forced to leave the country following the end of their work term. Employers shall bear the fees and expenses of recruitment and employment and shall not recover them directly or indirectly from the employee. 

Amending the Decision concerning the categories of industries and economic activities in which workers are allowed to establish unions, included agricultural workers in the professions that can join the union of food industries, which is henceforth called the General Union of Water, Agriculture and Food Industries Workers. Domestic workers were also added to the professional categories covered by the Union of General Services and Free Professions.

The LMRA affirmed that the programme is being launched in cooperation with the private sector and will streamline the process of registering for an occupation. The new measures will link work permits to vocational and occupational standards to increase safety and protections in places of work.

On 17 October 2022, the Labour Market Regulatory Authority launched the Labour Registration Program in partnership with the private sector through Labour Registration Centers with the aim of providing a safe and balanced-work environment that preserves the rights of all parties and the society, enhancing the efforts to eliminate irregular workers and linking work permits to vocational standards and qualifications.

Article 1: Residence permit holders of an employer (flexible worker) shall be revoked three months after the date of implementation of this decision, and they have the right to reconcile their situation before the expiration of that period by obtaining permits approved by the Labor Market Regulatory Authority to practice a professional activity and register in labor registration centers.

Article Two: The issuance of a permit to practice a professional activity requires the obligation to pay the fee for extending the expired residency and the delay fee for those who failed to issue or renew the residency for work, and due for the last year or part of the year before the date of submitting the application, which are specified in the fee schedule for the services of the General Administration of Nationality, Passports and Residence, corresponding to Resolution No. (196) of 2014 regarding fees for the services of the General Administration of Nationality, Passports and Residence. Exemption from fees due for years prior to the date referred to in the preceding paragraph is provided, provided that the permit applicant fulfills the conditions and controls of the permit, and that there are no reservations regarding his continued stay in the Kingdom.