Tuesday 16 / December / 2025
Muscat: A delegation from the International Labour Organization (ILO), led by Gilbert Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO, paid an official visit to the Social Protection Fund.
The visit aimed to enhance cooperation between the ILO and the Fund and review the efforts undertaken by the Sultanate of Oman in strengthening its social protection system.
During the visit, a meeting was held to review a number of subjects related to the social protection system and discuss the ongoing cooperation programme between the Fund and the ILO.
The Director-General of the ILO praised Oman’s efforts in enhancing and developing the social protection system, noting the importance of sharing this successful experience with neighboring countries to foster regional cooperation in this field.
He stressed the necessity of joint action to face challenges encountered by social protection institutions in various countries.
He clarified that social protection is one of the most prominent topics discussed in important international forums, such as the G20 Summit, to ensure the rights of all segments of society, including migrant workers, and to provide social guarantees that contribute to enhancing social justice at the global level.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Faisal bin Abdullah Al Farsi, CEO of the Social Protection Fund, and a number of officials from the ILO and the Social Protection Fund.
The ILO delegation also visited the General Federation of Oman Workers (GFOW) to review the GFOW’s experience and the trade union system in the Sultanate of Oman.
This visit aims to reinforce efforts directed at improving legislation supporting trade union rights and freedoms, paving the way for the Sultanate of Oman to sign ILO conventions related to trade union rights and freedoms.
A meeting was held during the visit to discuss avenues for ongoing cooperation between the GFOW and the ILO and to develop areas for future partnership.
This reflects the level of progress in dialogue and partnership among the three parties of production in the Sultanate of Oman.
Legislative amendments, represented in the Labor Law and the Social Protection Law, were also discussed, along with ways to implement the priorities and axes included in the National Programme for Decent Work, and joint activities with the ILO in this regard.
Furthermore, the GFOW’s efforts to enhance tripartite social dialogue among the parties of production according to international labor standards were reviewed.
The meeting included a presentation that shed light on trade union structures in the Sultanate of Oman, numbers and distribution of labor unions and general sectoral unions and key activities, programs, and awareness campaigns implemented by the GFOW.
It also highlighted the participation of women in trade union work, major legislative developments included in the Labor Law and the Social Protection Law and the latest local legislation related to the protection of rights of non-Omani workers.
The Director-General of the ILO praised the efforts of the General Federation of Oman Workers and the evolution of the roles of labor unions, considering them a pioneering model in the region.
He affirmed his readiness to enhance the existing paths of cooperation between the GFOW and the ILO as required by the current stage.
The meeting was attended by Nabhan bin Ahmed Al Batashi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Federation of Oman Workers, and a number of officials from both sides.
