Visa ban for 87 professions in private sector extended

The Ministry of Manpower issued a decision to extend the temporary ban on hiring expatriates for 87 jobs in the private sector.

The ban will be extended for another six months starting July 30, 2018, the Ministry announced.

According to the Ministry’s online statement, “The period of the ban on permits to bring temporary expatriate manpower into private sector establishments for the professions specified in Ministerial Decision No. 38/2018 shall continue for a period of six months from July 30, 2018.”

Positive and negative

Mohammed Al Busaidi, head of Youth and Human Resources Committee in Shura Council, said: “Any decision has a positive and negative point; in my view, I think this decision should not be binding on companies that have met the required Omanisation rates, and should only apply to companies that are not bound by Omanisation rates.”

“It is important to distinguish between companies. Committed companies should be allowed to employ expatriate workers, as we do not want the activities of these companies to be affected by the decision, and small Omani institutions, to help them expand,” Al Busaidi added.

Hilal Al Sarmi, Shoura member, said: “The decision is excellent and will contribute to providing more jobs for Omanis in the private sector. I hope this decision will be extended for longer periods and will include new jobs and professions.”

He explained: “Nowadays, there are many young Omani graduates and they have specialized degrees and are qualified to fill positions related to their specialization, whether in leadership positions or below.”

Previously, Salim Al Hadrami, Director General of Planning and Development at the Ministry of Manpower, said. “As for the ministerial decision to stop some professions from hiring the expatriate labour force, the decision was aimed at regulating the labour market and creating job opportunities for graduates from universities and colleges, as we found that job seekers are concentrated in certain specialities such as information systems, finance, accounting, engineering, and management.”

Here’s the full list of professions that have been impacted by the decision:

Information and Technology

1. Information Security Specialist

2. Geographic Information System Specialist

3. Electronic Computer Networks

4. Programmed Machines Maintenance – Electronic

5. Electronic Calculator Maintenance

6. Graphic Designer

7. Electronic Surveillance – Equipment Assembly

8. Electronics Technician – Telecom

9. Electronics Technician – Control Instrument

10. Electronic Technician – Medical Equipment

11. Electronics Technician Broadcast

12. Electronic Technician – Programmed Machines

13. Electronic Technician – Computer Networks

14. Computer Programmer

15. Computer Engineer

16. Computer operator

Accounting and Finance

1. Bank Notes and Money changer

2. Bank notes technician

3. Account Auditing technician

4. General accounting technician

5. Cost account technician

6. Costs accountant

7. Insurance collector

Marketing and Sales

1. Sales specialist

2. Storekeeper

3. Commercial agent

4. Commercial manager

5. Procurement logistics specialist

Administration and Human Resources

1. Business Administration Specialist

2. Public Relation Specialist

3. Human Resources Specialist

4. Administrative Director

Insurance

1. Insurance Agent General

2. Real Estate Insurance Agent

3. Cargo Insurance Agent

4. Life Insurance Agent

5. Vehicle Insurance Agent

6. Factory Insurance Agent

Information/Media Professions

1. Media Specialist

2. Page Maker

3. Paper Pulp Machine Operator

4. Bookbinding Machine Operator

5. Decorative Books Operator of

6. Calendar Operator

7. Paper Dyeing Machine Operators

8. Bill Printing Machine Operator

9. Cylinder Press Operator

10. Rotating Press Operator

11. Offset Printing Machine Operator

12. Color Press Operator

13. Palnographic Press Operator

14. Paper Folder Machine Operator

15. Paper Coating Machine Operator

16. Advertising Agent

Medical Professions

1. Male Nurse

2. Pharmacist Assistant

3. Medical Coordinator

Airport Professions

1. Aviation Guiding Officer

2. Ground Steward

3. Ticket controller

4. Airplane takeoff Supervisor

5. Air traffic controller

6. Aircraft Landing supervisor

7. Passenger Transport supervisor

8. Land Guide

Engineering Professions

1. Architect

2. General Survey Engineer

3. Civil Engineer

4. Electronic Engineer

5. Electronics Engineer

6. Mechanical Engineer

7. Projects Engineers

Technical Professions

1. Building Technician/Building Controller

2. Electronic Technician

3. Road Technician/Road Controller

4. Mechanical Technician

5. Soil Mechanics Laboratory Technician

6. Steam Turbine Technician

7. Construction materials lab technician

8. Gas Network Extension Technician

9. Construction Technician

10. Transformer Technician

11. Station Technician

12. Electrical Technician

13. Heat Operations Technician

14. Maintenance Technician

15. Chemical Technician

This article originally appeared on: http://timesofoman.com/article/136829/Oman/Visa-ban-for-certain-professions-in-Oman-extended