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Oman – SMEs welcome visa ban reprieve

20 October 2014

The Ministry of Manpower's decision to lift the ban on hiring expat workers in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has been broadly welcomed by Oman’s business sector, reports the Times of Oman

The Minister for Manpower, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Bakri, issued a ministerial decision to start giving visas to non-Omani workers in SMEs.

Adbul Gafoor, General Manager of an unnamed construction company, told the Times of Oman: "Our construction company falls under small and medium enterprises. We were having a tough time during the last one year. It was quite difficult for us to complete the projects in time. Now, we hope things will change. We were lacking skilled employees at mid and senior levels.”

The decision to lift the ban was based on recommendations from the Committee of Sectoral and Contractors Association and in order to meet the needs of the labour market in accordance with the Labour code.

The Ministry stopped issuing visas to non-Omani workers in construction and cleaning sectors working for companies falling under certain categories, for a period of six months effective from 1 November 2013. The ban was extended for a further six months in May 2014.

International companies, companies executing government projects, and consultancy firms were exempt from the ban.

A member of the Lower House of the Council of Oman (Shura) said that the Ministry of Manpower should study the issue in-depth and come out with a practical solution that can benefit both the economy and the Omani workers.

"We cannot have a single solution for all issues related to hiring. It is not possible at all. Expansion of the economy is a must for the growth of the country. According to me, we should not close the doors in the face of expatriate workers, especially in some sectors, but at the same time, balance should be maintained when it comes to hiring Omani workers also," he said.