Companies violating Ramadan hours will face legal action in Oman

Muscat: Companies violating the work hours restrictions during the Holy Month of Ramadan as clarified in the ministerial decision will face legal action, an official of the Ministry of Manpower has said.
Read here: Ramadan working hours announced in Oman for public and private sectors
Many employees are not aware that they should work for only six hours and small companies take advantage.
“Companies should state clearly their working timing during Ramadan for their staffs,” said Talib Al Dhabbari, head of media department at the Ministry of Manpower. He added that the ministry carries out inspection visits and can find out who violates the order.
Get your essential daily briefing delivered direct to your email inbox with our e-newsletter
“The ministry doesn’t depend on inspection visits only, but also receives reports from private sectors workers,” said Al Dhabbari.
The Ministry of Manpower announced last Sunday a six-working-hour day or thirty-hour week for Muslim employees of private companies during the Ramadan, which begins next week.
The Omani Labour Law stipulates that companies face a fine and may even be sent to court for repeated violation.
Some private sector employees had voiced their frustration over companies not following the rules imposed by the ministry and being made to work for more than six hours during the Holy Month.
Article 68 in Part Four of Chapter 3 in the Omani Labour Law states that the maximum working hours during Ramadan shall be six hours a day or thirty hours a week for Muslim employees and the Ministry of Manpower may determine the timing of the work hours.
Penalty for such a violation is in keeping with the Omani Labour Law, Part Ten, Article 117: “Whoever violates the provisions of Chapter Three of Part Four shall be punished with a fine not exceeding OMR100 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.”
Employees can file a complaint at the Directorate General of Labour Welfare at the Ministry of Manpower when being unjustly made to work longer than the time set by the ministry.
Talib Al Dhabbari, a Ministry of Manpower official, said:
“Most of the companies follow the instructions however we monitor the situation. The inspection teams carry out visits and those who violate will face legal actions. We also depend on reports made by workers.
“Every company has regulations to clarify such decisions to its staff.
“Of course they will face penalties if violate the decision.”
Regarding cases last year, Salim Al Badi, director general of labour welfare at the Ministry, said no cases were registered last year.