Ministerial Decision 255/2020 Governing the Recruitment of Non-Omani Manpower in Private Sector Establishments Operating in Carpentry, Blacksmithing, and Aluminum Workshop Activities

Date Adopted / Created / Concluded

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.

Ministerial Decision No. (281) of 2020 Concerning the Regulation of Remote Working in Private Sector Establishments During the Application Period of Precautionary Measures to Reduce the Spread of the Novel Coronavirus

Date Adopted / Created / Concluded

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.

Ministerial decision regarding the employment contract for domestic workers

Date Adopted / Created / Concluded

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

Ministerial Decree 127/2020 Governing the Recruitment of Non-Omani Manpower in Construction and Brick Factories

Date Adopted / Created / Concluded

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) of 2020 Regarding the Stability of Employment in Private Sector Companies During the Period of Applying Precautionary Measures to Contain the Spread of the Novel Coronavirus

Date Adopted / Created / Concluded

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.

Resolution No. (1) of 2020 Exempting the most affected commercial activities by the repercussions of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) from some of the fees charged by the Labor Market Regulatory Authority

Date Adopted / Created / Concluded

Employers who have had to stop their commercial activities in whole or in part as a precaution due to the repercussions of the emerging coronavirus (19-COVID) until the issuance of this decision, are exempted from the fees for issuing or renewing work permits for the first year of the permit’s validity, and they are also exempted from the monthly fees due to them for a period of three months, starting from the first of July 2020.

Resolution No. (5) for the year 2020 to Regulate the Authority for Settlement of Individual Labour Disputes

Date Adopted / Created / Concluded

The Cabinet approved a draft resolution to Regulate the Authority for Settlement of Individual Labour Disputes. The Authority will be attached to the Department of Labour Relations in the Ministry of Labour and Social Development. Its mission is to try to effect an amicable settlement between an employer and employee, on the condition that both parties consent to it and prior to resorting to the Judiciary. This is to reduce the number of cases presented to the Judiciary. The draft resolution specifies the organization and administration of the Authority as well as the requirements for settlement.

Royal Decree 63/2020 Ratifying the Agreement between the Sultanate of Oman and the Slovak Republic for the avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income

Date Adopted / Created / Concluded

Oman and Slovakia signed an agreement that will allow residents of either or both countries to not pay double tax with regards to income by allowing deductions from one’s payable tax. The agreement further defines specificities of eligible persons and relevant taxation under this agreement, additionally mentioning that stateless persons who are residents of either Oman or Slovakia will not be held to more taxes than a national of either country.