Closer look at the decisions for non-Omani employees issued by Supreme Committee

The Supreme Committee for dealing with COVID-19 has approved, within the framework of its permanent meeting, a package of facilitation to support the private sector and its workforce.

This package has been reached to through an agreement between the competent government agencies and private sector, through representatives of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Here are the decisions that apply to non-Omani workers or expats:

Obligation of the private sector towards the non-Omani Employees:

1. There should be an agreement between the private sectors institutions and companies and their employees with regard to the payment of their wages.
2. Affected private sector institutions and companies are entitled to offer annual paid leaves to their employees in sectors that have been closed
3. The affected private sector institutions and companies are urged to end the contract of the non-Omanis employees permanently.

Facilitations provided by the Ministry of Manpower:

1. Reducing the fees for renewing non-Omani workforce cards as of today until the end of June 2020; the fees are reduced to RO 201 instead of RO 301. The expired card for institutions and companies that have Omani workforce and owners of SMEs registered in Social Insurance may be renewed.
2. Exempting from fees and fines related to the work permits for the non-Omani workforce, provided that they leave the Sultanate permanently.
3. Allowing employer to renew expired work permits for employees currently outside the Sultanate during this period, and exempting them from the penalties resulting therefrom, after coordination with the competent authorities
4. Extending the period of licenses for non-Omani workforce expiring during this period
5. Initial work permits may be issued for non-Omani workforce for partial or temporal use; fees shall be charged based on the number of workers needed by the institution.
6. Multiple institutions owned by the same partners may assign their employees to work in any of these institutions when necessary
7. The private sector institutions may use the workforce of other institutions to work in their facilities according to a written agreement between them
8. Allowing affected private sector institutions and companies to terminate their non-Omani workforce labor contracts, provided that they pay all employees dues and let them leave Sultanate permanently.