Shura's panel discusses halting job security benefit for laid-off workers

Muscat: The Youth and Human Resources Committee at the Shura Council held a meeting on Tuesday, chaired by Younis Al-Mandhari, to discuss the implications of suspending the job security benefit granted to laid-off workers.

Discussions focused on the social and economic impact of halting the benefit provided by the Social Protection Fund, particularly to individuals whose living conditions have deteriorated as a result. The committee members emphasised the urgent need to resume the disbursement of this benefit to alleviate hardship and ensure psychological and social stability for affected citizens.

The committee called for immediate practical steps from the relevant authorities to resolve the issue.

This includes involving local governorates in the process and promoting decentralisation in employment decisions and redundancy-related matters—allowing for faster, region-specific solutions aligned with local needs.

Members also stressed the importance of providing employment opportunities that match the qualifications and professional experience of laid-off workers. They highlighted the need for programmes that support their requalification and reintegration into the labour market in a way that preserves dignity and secures financial and emotional well-being.

Additionally, the committee underscored the necessity of building a comprehensive, up-to-date database of job seekers and laid-off individuals to guide the development of future policies and national employment strategies.

As part of potential solutions, the committee explored amending existing legislation or introducing new legal proposals to enhance protections for the national workforce.

They also discussed allocating specific vacancies within government institutions and state-owned enterprises for laid-off workers.

The discussion included the importance of accelerating the implementation of the Omanisation policy by replacing expatriate-held roles with qualified national personnel, as well as raising the cost of hiring foreign workers in the private sector to incentivise employers to recruit Omanis.

In conclusion, the committee stressed the need for a comprehensive and long-term approach to address the issue of workforce layoffs, starting with tackling the root causes rather than merely responding to consequences. This includes overcoming legal and administrative barriers and establishing a national action plan that ensures social justice and employment stability for all citizens.