Expat work contracts could come under Oman's ministry control

Muscat: Expat work contracts could soon have to be registered with the Ministry of Manpower (MoM), an official from the Oman Trade Union said.
Currently, it is compulsory to register work contracts for Omanis, but not for expats, but some companies which employ a large number of expats could find they soon have to have those contracts approved by the ministry, along with the national work contracts.
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At present, some companies issue two copies of the expat work contracts and get them signed internally by the company and employee without getting any approval from MoM.
“We are working with the Ministry of Manpower to make it compulsory for all companies to register both national and expat work contracts in the ministry,” said Nabhan Al Battashi, chairman of the General Federation of Oman Trade Union (GFOTU). He explained that such a move will enable the concerned authorities to better monitor the market and track the violating firms.
“Once work contracts are approved by the ministry, several issues and violations will be avoided in future. Violations, such as paying expat employees different salaries than the ones stated in the company document will be avoided. This will make the work atmosphere better for everyone,” said Al Battashi, adding that some companies send a statement to the ministry, including details of the contract, which will no longer be accepted if this decision is announced.
“The rule is still under discussion between us and the Ministry of Manpower as we expect it to be announced after the announcement of the new Labour Law. Such rules are announced in ministerial decisions following the new Labour Law announcement,” said Al Battashi.
Ahmed Al Hooti, an Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) member, said such a move once regulated will make things proper. “The number of expat workforce in the private sector is huge and such a move will create a better atmosphere for the expat workforce in the Sultanate,” he said.
“This also will reflect a good image of the Sultanate when it comes to international reports on human rights. The move will reflect the equality between the national and expat workforce in the Sultanate,” said Al Hooti.
A lawyer for a private sector company, who refused to be identified, said the company he works for sends the work contracts of all employees, including expats, to the MoM to avoid legal questioning about any issue.
Inspection
“This makes the company’s life easier when a team from the ministry comes to visit to check the company’s documents. The salary amount and annual increment are clearly stated in the work contracts, which are signed by all parties and approved by the ministry,” said the lawyer.
“It is a good move carried out by the government, because it will protect our rights and can eliminate the exploitation of the employers,” an Indian expat working in the private sector told the Times of Oman.
Vineeth Vijayan, who is working in the private sector, said this move will force companies to show more responsibility towards their employees and will help avoid the mistreatment of labourers.
Rights
Hussein Ali, a human resource manager at a company, said the ministry’s decision will protect the rights of the two parties, the company and the employee.
“Violations are not only committed by the companies. Sometimes employees are also to blame, but this rule will make everything clear to the Ministry of Manpower, once any issue arises,” said Ali.
“This move will benefit the three production parties (the government, the companies and the workforce.) It will enable everyone to avoid violations and will make expat work contracts much clearer. Such contracts are sometimes do match the same sent to the ministry of Manpower. The decision also will provide a clear image about the exact total amount of expat salaries working in the private sector along with the nature of work they have in all industries. In some cases, expat gets less than what is stated in his contract and fall as the victim. The decision will promote the human rights aspects and reflect a better image about the Sultanate to the world,” said Al Battashi