Issued in accordance with the Sultan’s Decree no. 35/2003
We, Qaboos Bin Said, Sultan of Oman,
After perusal of the State Basic Law promulgated by the royal Decree No. 101/96,
And the Labour Law issued by the Royal Decree No. 34/73 and amendments thereof,
And in accordance with the public interest
Have Decreed as Follow –
Article (1): The provisions of the attached Labour Law shall be enforced,
Article (2): The Minister of Manpower shall issue such regulations and decisions as may be necessary for the implementation of the provisions of the attached law.
Article (3): The Labour law issued by the Royal decree no. 34/73 above referred to shall be repealed, as well as, all that is contrary to or contradicting the provisions of the attached law.
Article (4): This Royal Decree shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall come into force after the expiry of one month from the date of itspublication.
Qaboos Bin Said
Sultan of Oman
Issued on: 24 Safar 1424H
Corresponding to: 26th of April 2003
Article (1):
In applying the provisions of this law the following words and phrases shall have the meaning assigned to each of them unless the context requires otherwise.
Article (2):
The provisions of this law shall not apply to:
The Minister shall by his decision issue the rules and terms of work relating to these categories.
Article (3):
Any condition which is contrary to the provisions of this law shall be null and void even if it was prior to its operation unless the condition is of more benefit to the worker. Any release or settlement or waiver of rights arising out of this law shall be null and void if it is contrary to its provisions. Andy conditions prescribed by the laws, regulations and decisions which were in force at the date of coming into force of this law which are more advantageous to the worker shall continue to be enforced.
Article (3Bis):
The employer has no right to impose any form of compulsory or coercive work.
Article (4):
Unless otherwise excepted by a special provision all employers and workers shall be subject to the provisions of this law, and all kinds of establishments and their national and foreign branches, which practice their activities within the Sultanate, whether they are public or private, including the national and the foreign institutions of the private education.
Article (5):
As from the date of coming into force of this law, all employers shall provide or at least maintain the minimum standards and conditions of employment set out in this law. The standards and terms of service under which the worker was employed before the coming into force of this law, shall not be reduced, if the worker continues in the service of the employer after it has come into force.
Article (6):
The employer may establish schemes from which his workers may get advantages which are more beneficial than what is prescribed, or provide them with other benefits, or enter into agreements with them, the terms of which are more beneficial than the terms provided for in this law. If a condition in this law contradicts any of the conditions set out in such schemes or agreements, the condition which is more beneficial to the worker shall be applied.
Article (7):
The worker’s right to claim any of the entitlements provided in this law shall become prescribed after the expiry of one year from the date of his entitlement to such right. With respect to other claims, which had arisen prior to the enforcement of this law the period of one year shall be calculated as from the date the provisions of this Law come into force.
Article (8):
Officials specified by a decision from the Minister of Justice in co-ordination with the Minister will act in the capacity of judiciary officers in enforcing this law, its regulations and executive decisions. The rules and procedures organising their work shall be specified by a decision from the Minister. Such officials will have the right to enter into work places, to inspect the books and registers in order to ascertain that this law, its regulations and executive decisions are applied. Before starting their work the said officials shall swear before the Minister to carry out their work with trust and honesty and not to disclose work secrets or information or data which they know by virtue of their work, even after the end of their service.
The said officials shall maintain confidentiality of any information reported to them in respect of violation of the rules of this law, its regulations and executive decisions.
Article (9):
The employer or the employer’s representative shall offer to the officials referred to in the preceding Article, the facilities required for carrying out their duties and provide them with all statements and information they require provided that such statements and information are complete and true for the purpose of implementing this law, its regulations and executive decisions.
No person is allowed to deliberately impede or obstruct those officials from carrying out their duties. Such officials may, for the sake of implementing their job, seek the assistance of policemen pursuant to the rules which will be determined by a decision from the Minister in co-ordination with the Inspector General of Police and Customs.
Article (10):
The claims filed by the workers or their beneficiaries in accordance with the provisions of this law shall be exempt from all fees at all the stages of litigation.
Article (10 bis):
The Minister shall issue a decision defining the procedures and regulations according to which the private sector establishments that violate the provisions of Labor Law and the decisions organizing them shall be handled.
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Article (11):
The employer shall employ the Omani workers to the maximum possible extent. The ratio of Omanis to the foreigners in the various economic sectors or the activities covered by each sector as may be necessitated by the circumstances of each sector or activity and the extent of availability of the necessary Omani workers, shall be determined by a decision of the Minister. The employer shall ensure the equality of all workers when the nature and conditions of their work are similar.
Article (12):
Any Omani who is fit and desirous to work may apply for registration of his name with the relevant directorate and state details of his age, qualifications, experience, preferences and the work he desires to join in addition to any other information as may by determined by the Ministry.
Such department shall register the applications in serial number upon receipt thereof and shall give the applicant an acknowledgement of registration in the form specified by the Ministry
Article (13):
The relevant directorate in the context of procuring employment for Omani citizens, assume responsibility for the following:
Article (14):
The employer or his representative shall send the following to the relevant directorate during the month of January of each year on the forms prescribed bye the Ministry:
The Minister may modify the periodicity of collection of these statements if the public interest so requires.
The employer or his representative shall submit the statements required for the field survey or the technical researches for planning and development of manpower according to the plans, programmes and schemes which the ministry may implement.
Article (15):
The employer or his representative shall notify the relevant directorate in writing of the posts and occupations which fall vacant or have been created at his place of work, whatever their type is, with information on each one of them and the wage thereof and the specified date for its occupation within one month from the date of the vacancy or creation thereof.
The employer shall, within one month from the date of employing an applicant for work pursuant to section (13) of this law, send the registration certificate of such worker to the directorate which had issued it, and enclose a statement including the date such worker has joined the work, the wage specified therefore and the type of work. The serial number of the registration certificate and the date thereof shall be recorded in front of the worker’s name in the workers’ register at the establishment.
Article (16):
The employer or his representative shall record in a special register the names of Omani workers employed by his and the address, age, gender and the kind of work assigned to each one of them, his social status, the amount of wage and the benefits in cash or in kind which he may obtain, and shall keep such register at the place of work.
Article (17):
The employer who employs fifty workers or more shall appoint persons who are of special needs nominated by the relevant directorate who are occupationally qualified in jobs which are suitable to there conditions, within such limits as may be determined by a decision of the Minister. Such persons of special needs who are employed pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall enjoy all the rights prescribed for other workers.
Article (18):
The employer is prohibited from bringing forward non-Omani workers unless he has obtained a permit from the Ministry. The grant of such permit shall be subject to the following conditions:
A non-Omani is prohibited from joining any work in the Sultanate before obtaining a labour card, the grant of which shall be subject to the following conditions:
Article (18Bis):
The employer shall not:
A decision by the minister shall define the procedures and regulations the employer shall be committed to with respect to notification of expatriate employee’s leaving work and the penalties for non-compliance with the decision.
Article (19):
The following shall be determined by a decision of the Mister:
Article (20):
No person shall be allowed to practise the activity of providing foreign workers without obtaining a licence to that effect from the Ministry, and an employer is prohibited from contracting with any person for the provision of foreign workers unless such person has a licence for that purpose.
A decision of the Minister shall specify the conditions which are prerequisite for granting a licence, the rights and duties of the licensee, the conditions and particulars which must be available in the contract entered into between the employer and the licensee and particularly the contract shall be written and contains the type of work, categories and wages of the workers according to the job or profession of each one of them, and the obligation of the licensee to send the worker back to the place where he has been brought from for work it is evident that he does not satisfy the conditions provided for by the contract.
Neither the employer nor the person licensed to provide foreign workers shall charge the worker any sums in consideration of his employment.
Article (21):
The contract of Work shall be confirmed by writing and issued in Arabic of two copies, one copy for each party. If the contract is written in a language other than Arabic, at least one copy in Arabic shall be annexed thereto and approved by the two parties to the contract which shall be equally authentic if there is no written contract of work, a worker may establish his rights by all means of proof. The worker shall be given a receipt for the documents and certificates which he might have deposited with the employer.
Article (22):
If any one of the parties to the contract is unable to read or write or does not understand the language of the contract, such contract shall be authenticated by the competent authority according to the law.
Article (23):
The contract of work shall particularly include the following information:
There shall be annexed to the contract an undertaking from the worker which includes the following:
Article (24):
A worker shall not be placed on probation for a period exceeding three months if he receives his wage on a monthly basis nor shall such period exceed one month if he receives his wage otherwise.
A worker shall not be placed on probation more than once with the same employer and the any probation period shall be included in the period of service if the worker has successfully completed it.
In all cases the probationary period, if any, shall be specified in the contract of service. Any one of the parties may, after a notice of not less than seven days to the other party, terminate the contract during the probationary period, if it becomes clear that continuation in employment is not suitable.
Article (25):
The employer shall not deviate from the terms of the contract or assign to the worker, a work tat has not been agreed to, unless necessity so requires and on a temporary basis, Nevertheless, the employer may assign to the worker a work that has not been agreed to if it is not substantially different from the original work.
Article (26):
The employer shall create a special file for each worker which includes in particular:
The employer shall keep the file provided in the above paragraph at least or one year from the date of termination of service.
Article (27):
The worker shall:
Article (28):
An employer, who employs fifteen employees or more, shall put in a conspicuous place in his establishment, the regulations of work after their approval by the Ministry. These regulations shall include the rules which organize the work at the establishment; the rights and obligations of the employee and the employer; the rules organizing the relationship between the employee, his colleagues and his superiors; the rules governing promotion; and the specification of salary categories, all types of allowances and reimbursements and the time and place where they will be paid.
The employer shall make such amendments to the said regulations as may be required by the Ministry for the implementation of such laws, regulations and decisions as may be issued.
Article (29):
An employer who employs fifteen workers or more shall place in a conspicuous place in his establishment, the penalties regulations, and the conditions for imposition thereof. For such regulations and amendments thereto, to become enforceable they have to be approved by the Ministry within two months from the date they have been submitted thereto for approval. If the said period expires without the approval or rejection of the Ministry having been communicated such regulations shall become enforceable. The Minister may by a decision to be made by his issue, the models of disciplinary regulations according to the nature of the work for the guidance of employers.
Article (30):
A worker can not be accused of a violation after the expiry of fifteen days from the discovery thereof, and no disciplinary penalty shall be imposed on a worker after more than thirty days form the date of proving the violation in the case of workers who receive their wages on a monthly basis, and more than fifteen days in the case of other workers.
Article (31):
An employer shall not impose upon a worker a fine exceeding the wage of five days for a single violation or impose on his a disciplinary penalty of suspension and deprivation of the whole or part of his wage for a period exceeding five days. In all cases no more than one penalty shall be imposed on a worker for a single violation, and no more than the wage of five days in one month be deducted from his wage to meet the fines imposed on him nor shall the period of his suspension from work and deprivation of the whole or part of his wage exceed fife days in one month.
Article (32):
If a worker is accused of committing an offence or misdemeanor inside the place of work the employer may suspend him from work for a period not exceeding three months from the date on which the relevant authorities were informed of the incident. Such worker shall be deprived of his Gross Salary in the first month and shall be paid half of his Gross Salary in the second and third months.
If the relevant authority decides not to commit the worker for a trial, or if the period of his suspension has expired, or if he has been acquitted, he shall be reinstated and the previously suspended payments of his wage shall be paid to him.
If the employer refuses to reinstate the worker, such refusal to reinstate him shall be construed as arbitrary dismissal, and in all cases the employer shall be obliged to bay the worker all his previously suspended payments of wage.
Article (33):
The employer shall provide medical facilities for his workers in the establishment, and if the number of his workers in one place or one town exceeds one hundred the employer shall employ a qualified nurse to carry out the first aid. The employer shall also designate a doctor to visit the workers and treat them in a place which is equipped for this purpose, and shall give the workers the necessary medicines for their treatment which shall be free of charge.
If the number of workers exceeds five hundred, the employer shall provide his workers in addition to the aforementioned with all other facilities of treatment which h requires the assistance of specialist doctors or surgery operations or the like, as well as the necessary medicines, all of which shall be free of charge with the exception of the costs of dental, ophthalmic and maternity treatment.
If the worker is treated in a government or private hospital, the employer shall incur the cost of treatment, medicine and in-patient care at the hospital in accordance with the regulations and financial rules applicable in such hospitals without prejudice to the provisions of the Social Insurance Law.
Article (34):
An employer, who practices work in such regions as may be specified by a decision of the Minister, is obliged to provide his workers with suitable means of transport, appropriate accommodation, meals and drinking water in places equipped for such purpose, and within easy reach of the workers.
Article (35):
If a worker purposely or due to his gross negligence causes the loss or damage or destruction of any equipment, machinery or products owned by the employer or entrusted to him the worker shall incur the necessary by the employer or entrusted to him the worker shall incur the necessary amount thereof. The employer after conducting investigation and notifying the worker may start deduction of such amount from the worker’s wage, provided that the deduction for this purpose shall not exceed 25% of his monthly wage.
The worker may appeal against the employer’s estimation to the relevant directorate within one month from the date of his knowledge of the deduction, and the appeal shall be decided according to the procedures provided in this law.
Article (36):
If the contract is for a limited duration, and the parties have continued the execution thereof after expiry of its duration, the contract shall be deemed to have been renewed with the same terms for and indefinite period.
Article (37):
If the contract is fro and unlimited duration, any one of the parties may terminate it after giving a written notice to the other party thirty days before the termination date in case of workers who were employed on a monthly basis, and fifteen days for the other workers, unless a longer period is agreed to in the contract. If the contract is terminated without observation of such notice period, the party who terminates the contract will be obliged to bay to the other party compensation equal to the Gross Wage for the notice period or the remaining part thereof.
Article (38):
The notice of termination of the contract issued by the employer to the worker who is on leave or public holiday shall not commence to operate except from the day following the end of leave or holiday.
Article (39):
On the termination of the relation of work of the workers who are not beneficiaries of thee Social Insurance Law the employer shall by the worker a post service gratuity in the amount of the wage of fifteen days for each year of service for the first three years, and the wage of one month for each of the following years. The worker shall be entitled to the gratuity for a fraction of the year proportionate to the period of his service and the last basic wage of the worker shall be considered the basis for the calculation of the gratuity.
The continuous period of service, which commenced prior to the enforcement of this law shall be included in the period of service which is considered for determining the period for which of gratuity is payable. The said gratuity shall not be payable if the duration of service is less than one year.
Article (40):
The employer may dismiss the worker without prior notice and without end-of-service gratuity in any of the following cases:
Article (41):
The worker may abandon the work before termination of the contract period and retain his full rights after giving notice to the employer of so doing in any of the following cases;
Article (42):
Without prejudice to the provisions of the Social Insurance Law, if the worker abandons the work for any of the reasons set out in the above section, the employer shall be obliged to pay him a gratuity for the period of his service and without prejudice to the worker’s entitlement to such compensation as may be decided.
Article (43):
The contract of wok shall terminate in any of the following cases:
The disability or illness of the worker shall be established by medical certificate as well as the proof of his age if it is not possible to establish it by a birth certificate or an official extract therefrom.
The medical certificate shall be issued by the medical commission pursuant to a decision of the minister of Health in co-ordination with the Minister for the purposes of Implementation of the law, and such decision shall include the regulation of the work procedures and the decisions of such commission shall be final. The contract shall not be terminated from the part of the employer unless the worker reaches the age of sixty at least.
In the event of the of termination of the contract for any of the aforesaid reasons, the employer shall pay the worker or his beneficiaries the gratuity provided in Section [39] if the worker is not subject to the provisions of the Social Insurance law.
Article (44):
Without prejudice to the Social Insurance Law, if there is a worker’s Savings Fund in an establishment and if the regulations of the Fund provide that the employer’s contribution to the Fund for the worker’s account is paid in lieu of the employer’s legal obligation to pay the end of service gratuity and its is equivalent to or more than the gratuity to which the worker is entitled, such amount shall be paid to the worker instead of the gratuity otherwise the worker shall be entitled to the gratuity. If the worker contributes to such Fund, he shall be entitled to both his entitlement from the Fund and the end-of service gratuity.
Article (45):
Those who are in charge of the establishment of the Saving Funds in the establishments shall obtain the approval of the Ministry of such funds and the internal regulations thereof before their registration. The no objection of the Ministry within sixty days from the date of submission of the regulations shall be deemed to be an approval.
Article (46):
The employer shall give the worker, upon his request, at the end of the contract, an end of service certificate free of charge, wherein he shall state the date of the worker’s joining the service, date of leaving it, the type of work he was performing, and the wage and other remunerations and privileges, if any. The employer shall return to the worker all such documents and certificates which he might have put in the employer’s custody.
Article (47):
The dissolution, liquidation, closure, bankruptcy of the establishment or its merger with anointer establishment or succession thereto by inheritance, sale lease, surrender, will, gift or such other acts of disposal shall not preclude the discharging of all its obligations. With the exception of the cases of liquidation, bankruptcy and the final authorized closure, the contract of work shall remain existing and the successor shall be jointly liable with the previous employer for discharging all the obligations prescribed by law subject to the established priority of the worker’s rights.
Article (48):
The employers shall be jointly liable for any violation of the provisions of this law, and the transferees of all or part of the businesses shall be jointly liable with the original employer to honour the payment of all the costs prescribed by the aforesaid provisions.
Article (48 bis):
The employer shall employ the same Omani labor that was working in the project reverted to his ownership partially or fully. They shall receive the same previous benefits and financial incentives as long as work exists and continues.
Article (49):
Wages and other amounts to which a worker is entitled shall be paid in the currency legally in circulations unless a wage in kind is agreed to.
Article (50):
The Council of Ministers shall determine the minimum limit of wages according to the requirements of the economic circumstances and may determine a minimum limit of the wages of a specific category of workers who are occupying jobs or occupations, the conditions or nature of the work of which necessitate such determination. The minimum limit of wages shall be issued by a decision of the Minister.
Article (50 bis)
The Minister shall issue a decision to determine the minimum periodical allowances and the procedures and conditions for their payment.
Article (51):
Wages shall be paid on a working day and at the workplace subject to the following provisions:
A resolution by the Minister may set the timings for payment of employees’ salaries at the establishments under the provisions of this Law before their due date on the national and official occasions.
Article (52):
If the employment relationship has terminated, the wage and all the amounts due to the worker shall be paid to him forthwith unless the worker has abandoned the work of his own accord in which case the employer shall pay the worker his wage and all his entitlements within a period of seven days form the date on which he has abandoned the work.
Article (53):
The employer will not be cleared of the employee’s salary unless the salary is deposited in the employee’s account at one of the locally approved banks. A resolution by the Minister may determine the exceptions where the employee’s salary may not be deposited in his account.
Article (54):
The wages, rights, other benefits and all amounts payable to the worker or to his beneficiaries according to the provisions of this law shall have priority over all debts owed by the employer except the amount of alimony adjudicated by Sharia Courts.
Article (55):
The worker shall not be obliged to purchase foodstuff or specific commodities from particular shops or any products of the employer.
Article (56):
The employer shall be obliged to repatriate a non-Omani worker to his country upon termination of the work relationship with him unless the sponsorship of such worker is transferred to another employer. It the employer declines to do so, the relevant directorate shall repatriate the worker at the expense of the Government and revert to the employer for recovery of the amount paid.
Article (57):
The employer shall not transfer a worker who earns a monthly wage to category of daily workers, or to a category of workers who earn weekly wages or on a piece basis, or on an hourly basis except with the written consent of the worker, and in the event of his consent to the transfer the worker shall have all the rights which he acquires during the period of his earning a monthly wage according to the provisions of this law.
Article (58):
The employer shall not deduct more than 15% of a worker’s wages towards repayment of any money borrowed by him during the period of the contract, nor shall the employer charge any interest on such loans and the same rule shall apply to the wages paid in advance.
The Minister may alter the above-mentioned percentage or decide and interest on the loans if the employer has introduced a loan system approved by the Ministry to enable his workers to establish their own dwelling-houses provided that such interest shall not exceed the highest limit prescribed by the Central Bank
Article (59):
The wages payable to the worker shall not be attached, or assigned, except to the extent of one quarter thereof for the discharge of alimony, or repay any amounts owed by him to the government, or to the employer. In case of the existence of more than one debt the priority shall bye accorded to the payment of alimony.
If the worker’s service terminates, the debs of the government and the proven debts of the employer, if any, shall be deducted form the end-of-service gratuity and any other entitlements of the worker.
Article (60):
If the shift worker or a worker whose wage is determined on an hourly, daily, weekly, half monthly or monthly basis, absents himself form work without permission or an acceptable excuse, he shall not be entitled to a wage except for the hours he has actually worked. The hourly wage of a worker whose wage is determined on a monthly basis is calculated by dividing the Gross Wage by the period for which the wage is payable and then by the number of the original hours according to the contract of work or according to the law, whichever is less.
The hourly wage of a shift worker in this case, is calculated by dividing the Gross Salary for the working hours of a full shift on the assumption that he has worked for the full shift, by the number of the actual hours excluding the additional hours. No deduction shall be made from the wage of a worker for any hour or day on which he was absent from work by reason of his summon to appear as a witness before the court or the Public Prosecution.
Article (61):
An employee shall have a right to an annual leave with full salary, for a period of not less than thirty days. The employee shall have this leave considering the interest of the work. He shall not enjoy this annual leave before the lapse of at least six months from joining work. An employee shall have the right to a six-day emergency leave annually with full salary in emergency cases. A resolution by the Minister shall regulate the emergency leave for employees and the employee shall not waive the right in this leave.
Article (62):
With the exception of the leaves of the juvenile workers, it is permissible to divide a leave in accordance with the requirements of the work. The employer may pursuant to the above paragraph postpone the annual leave of a worker for one succeeding year. The worker shall go on leave at least for a period of two weeks once every two years. The employer shall pay to the worker the basic wage for the days of the annual leave which the worker has not been availed, if the worker has agreed tot that in writing.
Article (63):
The employer may deprive the worker of his wage for the leave period or recover the amount of wage paid therefor if it is proved that the worker has worked during such leave with another employer.
Article (64):
The worker shall be entitled to the basic wage for the balance of his annual leave if he abandons the work before exhausting such leave.
Article (65):
The worker shall be entitled to his Gross Wage during holidays for festivals and other official occasions as may be specified by a decision of the Minister. Should an official holiday coincide with a weekly paid rest day, the worker shall be compensated therefore by another day. If the official holiday falls during the period of annual leave, the worker shall not be entitled to any compensation therefor.
The worker may be asked to work on an official holiday if the circumstances of the work so require, and in such a case the worker shall be entitled to receive his Gross wage for such a day with an additional amount of not less than 25%, or to have a rest day as substitute therefor.
Article (66):
Subject to the provisions of the social Insurance Law, the worker whose illness is certified shall be entitled to a sick leave the total of which shall not exceed ten weeks during one year irrespective of whether it is divided or continuous and it shall be granted as follows:
Article (67):
The worker is entitled to a special leave with Gross Wage as follows:
Article (68):
An employee may not be required to work for more than nine hours a day and to a maximum of 45 hours a week with at least half an hour breaks for taking food and rest. The maximum work hours during Ramadan shall be six hours a day or 30 hours a week for Muslim employees. A decision by the Ministry may determine the timing of the work hours.
Article (69):
The working hours shall be separated by one or more intervals for taking food and rest, the total of which shall not be less than half an hour, taking into account that the continuous period of work shall not exceed six hours. The instances and works whereof the technical reasons and operational circumstances necessitate the continuation of work without rest intervals and the hard or exhausting work for which the worker is allowed periods of rest which are considered actual working hours shall be determined by a decision of the Minister.
Article (70):
An employee may be required to work for more hours than those provided in Article (68) if the interest of work so dictates provided that the total original and extra work hours not exceed 12 (twelve) hours a day. The employer shall pay the employee overtime equal to his basic salary against the extra work hours plus at least 25% for day-time work and 50% for night work or grant the employee permission for the extra hours he did provided that the employee agree in writing to the extra work and the return. With regard to the work that takes place at ports, airports, on vessels, ships or aircrafts, the employer and the employee, may, after obtaining the approval of the Ministry, agree on payment of a fixed allowance for the employees in lieu of the overtime payments provided that an approval from the Ministry is obtained. However, the minister may add any other similar works.
Article (71):
An employer must grant the employee not less than two consecutive days of rest per week after five continuous working days. Accumulation of weekly rest periods for not more than eight weeks may be permitted by the Minister in respect of certain places of work specified by the minister if the employer and the employee agree to this in writing. The weekly rest shall, in all cases, be payable.
Article (72):
The employer may not comply with the provisions set out in Section [68] and [69] of this law in the following cases;
Article (73):
The employer shall grant the employee, in respect of the cases provided for in Article (72), an extra payment equal to his basic salary against the extra work hours plus 25% at least for daytime working hours, and 50% for night time working hours. If such work is performed during the weekly rest day or during the official holidays the employee shall, unless compensated with another day, be entitled to double salary for such a day, unless he is granted another day in lieu thereof in agreement with the employee.
Article (74):
The employer shall display on the main doors used by the workers for entry and on the work places and in conspicuous places in the establishment, a schedule stating the working hours, the prescribed rest intervals and the weekly rest days. A copy of this schedule and any amendment thereto shall be sent to the relevant directorate.
Article (75):
The employment of juveniles from both sexes or permission thereto to enter the places of work before they attain the age of fifteen is prohibited. The aforesaid age may be raised by a decision of the Minister in respect of certain industries and works that so require.
Article (76):
Juvenile employees who are less than eighteen years of age shall not be required to work between 6 pm an d6 am nor shall they be required to do actual work for a period exceeding six hours a day. Juvenile employees shall not be caused to stay in the work place for more than seven continuous hours and the working hours shall be separated by one or more intervals for rest and meal taking the total of which shall not be less than one hour. Such interval or intervals shall be specified in such manner as to ensure that they do not work for more than four continuous hours.
Article (77):
In all circumstances juveniles shall not be required to work for additional hours, nor shall they be caused to stay in the workplace after the prescribed period or be required to work during the days of rest or public holidays.
Article (78):
If the employer employs one or more juveniles he:
Article (79):
Subject to the above provisions, the juveniles’ employment system, the circumstances and conditions of their employment, the works, occupations and industries in which they work shall be determined by a decision of the Minister according to the different age groups.
Article (80):
Without prejudice to the provisions set out in this Chapter, all provisions regulating the employment of workers shall be applicable to women workers without discrimination between them in the same work.
Article (81):
Females shall not be required to work between nine p.m. and six a.m. save in cases, works, and occasions specified by a decision by the Minister.
Article (82):
Women shall not be required to perform works which are harmful to the health or hard works or such other works as may be specified by a decision of the Minister.
Article (83):
A female employee shall have the right to a special fifty-day maternity leave covering the periods before and after delivery with full salary for not more than three times during her service with the employer.
Article (84):
The employer shall not dismiss a woman worker for her absence due to illness confirmed by a medical certificate which is attributable to the pregnancy or delivery and that she cannot resume her work, provided that the total period of such absence shall not exceed six months.
Article (85):
An employer who employs one or more women workers shall keep in the workplace a copy of the regulations of employment of women.
Article (86):
Subject to the above provisions, the regulations of employment of women, the circumstances and conditions of their work and businesses, occupations and industries which they may join, shall be specified by a decision of the Minister. PART SIX Industrial Safety
Article (87):
Every employer or his representative shall acquaint the worker before employing him with the hazards of his occupation and the protective measures he has to take, and shall take the necessary precautions for the protection of the workers during the course of their work against health hazards and the dangers of the work and machinery and for that he shall:
Article (88):
The worker shall refrain from committing any act which is intended to prevent instructions being carried out, misuse or causing of damage, or destruction, of the equipment which are placed for the protection, safety and health of the worker who work with him, and shall use such means of protection and maintain the means of protection which are in his custody with due care, and shall carry out the instructions laid down to safeguard his personal health and protect him against injuries.
Article (89):
The following shall be determined by a decision of the Minister in co-ordination with the relevant governmental authorities;
Article (90):
The Ministry shall appoint inspectors to ensure that the employers carry out the instructions set out by the Minster’s decisions in respect of the measures specified in Section [89]. Such inspectors shall have the right to enter the places of the work, inspect the records relating to the workers, address queries to any one as they may decide and make records, on the basis of such records.
On the basis of such record, the relevant directorate shall send a warning in writing to the employer who is in violation of such instructions to eliminate such violation within such period as they may specify. In the event of the existence of any danger which threatens the safety and health of the Workers, the Ministry shall take the necessary measures to close down the place of work wholly or partially, or to stop the operation of one or more machinery until the elimination of the causes of such danger. The Ministry may also request the assistance of the Royal Oman Police if necessary.
Article (91):
For the application of the provisions of this Par, the mine and quarry industries shall mean:
Article (92):
The employer shall not allow any worker to work in any of the operations to which this part is applicable unless his medical fitness to work therein is confirmed after a medical examination. Such medical examination shall be in accordance with the circumstances and conditions to be determined by a worker is one of the workers who work below the ground or in puncturing works, the decision shall provide that the medical examination of the worker shall be carried out periodically at least once a year. The medical examination of the worker shall also be carried out in the event of termination of the contract of services in order to ascertain the worker’s condition and to get informed of whether he has contracted and occupational disease.
Article (93):
The entry to the work places and the annexes thereto is prohibited except for the workers or the officials who are designated for the inspection of the Mine and the Quarry, and the persons who are holding permission form the competent governmental authority, or the management of the establishment. The worker is also prohibited to enter the work places and the annexes thereto without permission during non-working hours.
Article (94):
Every employer shall prepare a special register for recording and counting the workers before their entry to the work places and when they leave.
Article (95):
The workers shall not be allowed to stay at the work places whether on or under the surface of the earth for a period exceeding eight hours a day. Such period shall include the time spent by the worker to reach the work place under the ground, as well as, the time he spends to return to the surface of the earth. The working hours shall be separated by one or more intervals for taking food which shall not be less than one hour altogether.
Article (96):
The provisions of Section [95] may exceptionally be not complied with if the work is intended to prevent the occurrence of an accident or for the avoidance of danger or to repair any damage resulting therefrom, or for the purpose of preparations or maintenance in accordance with the following conditions:
Article (97):
In the calculation of the ordinary leave as provided in Section [61] there shall be taken into consideration that such leave commences from the time the worker, in mines and quarries, arrives at the nearest city were there are public transports to his home town, and expires upon his return thereto.
Article (98):
The employer or his representative shall display in a conspicuous place at the work place the regulations on measure of safety and occupational health.
Article (99):
The manager of a mine or quarry or his representative shall:
A full summary of these reports shall be recorded in a special register to be prepared for such purpose.
Article (100):
The employer or his representative shall establish a front rescue point near the places of work with shall be equipped with the essential rescue equipment and the necessary first ad kit and there shall be inside the place a suitable communication facility which can be used instantly and a trained medical worker shall be appointed to supervise the rescue and first aid operations.
Article (101):
The employer shall set apart, in each mine or quarry wherein at least fifty workers perform work, a suitable place containing a room equipped with rescue equipment and first aid kit and another room for nursing in addition to one or more rooms for dressing. Mines and quarries where the workers therein are less than fifty workers and fall within circles the diameter of which reaches twenty kilometers they shall contribute to the establishment of a place for rescue and aid located in a central site. Without prejudice to the provisions of section (33), the rescue and aid equipment shall be specified by a decision of the Minister.
Article (102):
The drinking water shall be kept in special containers tightly closed up to avoid contamination and shall be placed near the reach of the workers and week in a manner hygienically approved.
Article (103):
The employer undertakes in respect of the workers who perform such works as are set out in Section [91]:
The Minister may be a decision to be issued by him specify the areas form which the workers may return back to their homes.
Article (104):
The provisions of this part shall apply to every dispute relating to the work or the conditions thereof between an employer and one of his workers or between one or more employers and all their workmen or any group thereof.
Article (105):
Every employer who employs fifty or more workers shall display in a conspicuous place the procedure for complaints and grievances to be approved by the competent directorate. The said procedure shall provide that the worker has the right to submit his complaint or grievance to the employer or his representative.
Article (106):
The worker who has been dismissed from work may within fifteen days of the date of his notification of the decision apply to the relevant directorate, to annul the dismissal decision. The directorate shall take the necessary steps to settle the dispute amicably, and if a settlement is reached the directorate shall record it and pursue the implementation thereof.
An employer who refuses to implement the settlement shall be obliged to pay an amount equal to the worker’s wage for the period from the date of the settlement until the date on which he implement it. If a settlement is not reached within two weeks, or has been reached and one of the parties refuses to implement it, the relevant directorate shall refer the matter to the competent court within a period not exceeding two weeks from the expiry of the said period or from the date of such refusal.
The referral shall be supported by a memorandum including a summary of the dispute and the parties’ arguments. The secretariat of the Court shall put the matter before the President of the Court within three days from the date on which it is referred, in worker to fix a session to hear it within a period not exceeding two weeks from the date of referral. The worker, the employer and the relevant directorate shall be notified of the session, and the notification shall be accompanied by a copy of the directorate’s memorandum.
The court shall decide on the application for stay of the execution of dismissal, if any, within a period not exceeding two weeks from the date of first hearing and its judgment shall be final. If the Court workers the stay of execution of the dismissal, the employer shall be bound to reinstate the worker or to pay him an mount equal to his wage until the final adjudication of the dispute.
The court shall pass a judgment on the dispute within a period not exceeding one month from the date of the order staying the execution of the dismissal. If it is proved to the court that the dismissal of the employee or the termination of his services was arbitrary or contrary to the Law, it may decide to either reinstate the employee or oblige the employer to pay him compensation of not less than three month to be calculated according to the last full salary he received taking into consideration the conditions of the employee and his period of service, in addition to:
Article (107):
The worker who has a complaint shall first follow the procedure laid down by the employer, and if such procedure does not exist or if it exists but does not result in the redressal of the worker’s grievance, the worker may apply to the relevant directorate in order to endavour to reach a settlement for the dispute between him and the employer in accordance with the provisions of the above article. Article (107Bis): The minister shall issue a decision organizing collective bargaining aiming to settle labour disputes or improvement of work conditions or promoting productivity efficiency and organizing peaceful strikes and closures.
Article (108):
The workers may form from among them labor unions to safeguard their interests, defend their rights and improve their materialist and social status and to represent them in all matters relating to their affairs.
Article (109):
The different labour unions shall together form the General federation of the Sultanate of Oman workers, to represent them in local, regional and international meetings and conferences. The labour unions may form labor associations from among them..
Article (110):
The labor unions, labor associations and the General Federation of the Sultanate of Oman’s Workers shall have an independent corporate body as from the date of registration at the Ministry and they shall have the right to freely practice their activity without interference in their affairs or influencing them. The Minister shall issue decisions to regulate the formation, work and registration of the labor unions, Labor Associations and the General Federation of the Sultanate of Oman’s Workers. Article (110Bis): It shall not be allowed to apply the dismissal penalty or any other penalty on the workers’ representatives in the Labour Unions or Labour Associations or the General Federation of the Sultanate of Oman’s worker for the activities they practice in their Labour Unions in accordance with this law and the ministerial decisions implementing it.
Article (111):
Without prejudice to any severer penalty provided in any other law, the penalties in the following sections shall apply to the violations referred to therein.
Article (112):
The employer who abstains from offering required facilities or correct data, or information, or who submits incorrect data to official employees, or who prevents the worker from practicing his labor union activity, or hinders the formation of labor unions or the General Federation of the Sultanate of Oman’s workers, shall be published by imprisonment for a period not to exceed one Month and a fine of no more than R.O. 500, or by one of the two penalties.
Article (113):
Whoever violate the provisions of Sections [14], [15] and [16] of Chapter One of part two shall be punished with a fine of not less than R.O. 10/- and not exceeding R.O.100/- for each worker, and for violation of Section [17] with a fine of not less than R.O. 50/- and not exceeding R.O. 100/- and the punishment shall be doubled if the violation is repeated.
Article (113Bis):
Everybody commits, helps or agrees upon committing any deed infringing the provisions of the Article (18Bis) of this law shall be punished by being imprisoned for a period of not more than one month and paying a fine of not less than one thousand Omani Rials (R.O. 1000/-) and not more than two thousand Omani Rials (R.O. 2000/-) or shall be Subject to one of these two penalties. If the perpetrator is not an Omani employee, he shall be expelled from the Sultanate on the expense of the employer and shall be banned from entering it.
Article (114):
Every employer who employs non Omani workers as authorized by the issued license shall be punished by paying a fine of not less than one thousand Omani Rials (R.O. 1000/-) and not more than two thousand Omani Rials (R.O. 2000/-) for each worker. The penalty is to be multiplied as per the number of the workers for whom the penalty was set. In addition, the employer shall incur the expenses related to repatriation and shall be prevented from bringing non Omani workers for a period of not more than two years,
The penalty shall be doubled if the employed worker is one of those who enter the Sultanate illegally or leave work for the employer authorized to employ them. Every employer who intentionally lets a non Omani worker authorized to work for him work for any other employer shall be punished by being imprisoned for a period of not more than one month and paying a fine not less than one thousand Omani Rials (R.O. 1000/-) for each worker or shall be subject to one of these two penalties. The penalty is to be multiplied as per the number of the workers for whom the penalty was set. In addition, the employer shall be prevented from bringing non Omani workers for a period of not more than two years.
The penalty shall be severer in case of recurrence. The non Oman employee working in the Sultanate without permission from the specialized authority or working for a non authorized employer shall be punished by being imprisoned for a period of not more than one month and paying a fine of not less than four hundred Oman Rials (R.O. 400/-) and not more than eight hundred Omani Rials (R.O. 800/-) or shall be subject to one of these two penalties. In addition, the work permit, if any, shall be cancelled and the employee shall be repatriated on the expense of the employer and shall be repatriated on the expense of the employer and shall be banned from entering the Sultanate. Every employer infringing the provisions of the Article (29) shall be punished by paying a fine of not less than fifty Omani Rials (R.O. 50/-) and not more than two hundred Omani Rials (R.O 200/-).
Article (114 bis):
Each employer that does not comply with the stipulated Omanization percentages shall be punishable by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty (250) and mot more than five hundred (500) Omani Rials for each Omani employee that should have been employed. The employer shall rectify the Omanization percentage within six months from the date the violation was detected. Penalty shall be doubled upon the repetition of the violation. Whoever violates the provisions of Article (20) and the decisions on the licensing conditions shall be punishable by imprisonment for not more than one month and a fine of not less than five hundred (500) and not more than (1000) Omani Rials or either of the two penalties in addition to cancellation of the license or suspending the same for not less than one year.
Article (115):
Whoever violates the provisions of Part Three and the decisions issued for the implementation thereof, shall be punished with fine of not less than R.O.10/- and not exceeding R.O. 100/- which shall be multiplied by the number of workers who are the subject of such violation and the penalty shall be doubled upon repetition of such violation.
Article (116):
Whoever violates the provisions of Chapter One and Two of Part Four shall be punished with fine not exceeding R.O. 100/- and the fine shall be multiplied by the number of workers who are the subject of the violation, and the penalty shall be doubled in case of repetition of such violation.
Article (117):
Whoever violates the provisions of Chapter Three of Part Four shall be punished with fine not exceeding R.O. 100/- and the fine shall be multiplied by the number of workers who are the subject of such violation and the penalty shall be doubled in case of repetition of such violation.
Article (118):
Violators of Chapter Five shall be punished by a fine of R.O. 500/-. The fine may be doubled according to the number of Women Juveniles employed in violation the provisions. If the same incident is repeated after one year of the the employer may be subject to maximum of one month imprisonment in addition to the fine.
Article (118Bis):
Without prejudice to any server penalty stated by this law or any other law, the employer or his representative shall be punished by paying a fine of not less than one hundred Omani Rials (R.O 100/-) and not more than five hundred Rials (R.O 500/-) and by being put in prison for a period of not more than one month or shall be subject to one of these two penalties in case of infringing the provisions of the sixth section of this law and the regulations and resolutions issued to execute it. The penalty shall be doubled in case of recurrence.
Article (119):
Every employer who violates the provisions of Section [92] shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of not less than one week and not exceeding one month, and every employer who violates any other provision of Part Seven shall be doubled in case of repetitions of such violation.
Article (120):
Every employer who refrains form laying down a procedure for complaints and grievances as provided in Section [105] shall be punished with fine of not less than R.O. 100/- and not exceeding R.O. 300/-. Every who refuses to implement the amicable settlement provided in Section [106] shall be punished with a fine of not less than R.O. 50/- and not exceeding R.O. 100/- and the penalty shall be multiplied by the number of workers who are the subject of such violation.
Article (121):
Any public officer who divulges any of the profession’s secrets which are relayed to him during the performance of his work shall be punished with fine not exceeding R.O. 100/- or with imprisonment not exceeding three months or with one of these penalties.
Article (122):
Any person who intentionally obstructs to delays any public officer from exercising his authority or the discharge of any duty assigned to or imposed upon him shall be punished with fine not exceeding R.O. 100/- or with imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or with both. Such penalty shall be doubled in case of the repletion of such violation.
Article (123):
Failure to observe ” Article No. 3 [bis]” will result in imprisonment of a maximum of one month and a fine of R.O. 500/- or either of them. The penalty will be doubled in case of recurrence.
Article (124):
Apart from the penalties set for the infringements stated in the previous articles, every perpetrator of the provisions of this law and the regulations and resolutions issued to execute it shall be punished by baying a fine of not less than five hundred Omani Rials (R.O 500/-) and not more than one thousand Omani Rilas (R.O 1000/-). The non Omani perpetrator shall be expelled from the Sultanate on the expense of the employer and shall be banned from entering it.
Article (125):
The minister or his representative may stop the procedures of case concerning the infringements for which punishments ate stated in this law in case the perpetrator has made payment according to the rules and categories issued among the minister’s resolution provided that this payment shall not exceed half of the maximum stated for the fine per each case and the perpetrator shall be expelled from the Sultanate on the expense of the employer and shall be banned from entering it.
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