Support and protection of migrant workers and their rights

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. 

Significant expansion of summertime working hours during which outdoor work is prohibited.

The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), in cooperation with the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) and the Bahrain Insurance Association (BIA), has announced the commencement of the Optional Insurance System for Domestic Workers on 4 August 2021. The System aims to protect employers and domestic expatriate workers following any incident that covers for insurance.

The “100 Million Meal Campaign,” a food distribution campaign, was launched to support labourers and vulnerable families adversely affected by the pandemic during the holy month of Ramadan by providing meals and food parcels to them. Inspection visits were undertaken to worker housing camps to ensure proper implementation of precautionary measures and the cleanliness and sanitation of dining halls and common areas. Inspection visits were also extended to shops frequented by labourers, medical clinics and buses that carry them to work sites.

The UAE adopted Cabinet Resolution No. 22 of 2019 to supplement Federal Law No. 10 of 2017, establishing more protection for domestic workers by establishing their right to terminate their employment in the case of sexual harassment or physical or verbal abuse by the employer or if the employer fails to meet contractual obligations. Thus, the law protected domestic workers’ right to retain their personal documents receive mandatory time off, and have access to avenues of investigation and prosecution of contractual violations by employers or recruitment agencies.

The Minister of Health issued decision No. 27 suspending for 3 months starting April 9, 2020 the general medical consultation fee of BHD 7, paid by non-Bahrainis in health institutions affiliated to the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health also committed to providing free medical and health care services for Coronavirus testing, quarantine and treatment to all alike and for free in preventive quarantine centres and isolation and treatment centres for COVID-19.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) launched the “Early Leave” initiative in coordination with the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Civil Aviation Authority and the National Emergency and Disaster Management Authority to enable foreign workers in the private sector residing in the UAE who wish to return to their home countries during the COVID-19 lockdown/precautionary measures period to do so by bringing forward the date of their annual leave or by agreeing with their employer to take unpaid leave.

National Minimum Wage applying to all workers, of all nationalities, in all sectors, including domestic workers.

Oman signed the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which states all peoples to certain rights.