Minister of Manpower discusses issues of private sector employees in Oman

Muscat: A number of issues of concern to the employees of the private sector were discussed at the annual meeting of Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Bakri, Minister of Manpower with the representatives of the labour syndicates and the Sultanate’s General Trade Union on Saturday.
The Minister of Manpower said that the meeting has provided an opportunity to discuss issues related to labour in the private sector and the vital role of the labour syndicates in establishing work relationships which contribute to cementing employee-employer dialogue.
He said that the comprehensive achievements during the reign of Blessed Renaissance under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said have seen a qualitative leap in the field of development of human resources and establishment of the modern state and economy.
He said that the number of labour syndicates amounted to 239 in the 18 economic activity. The development of such labour syndicates led to the formation of labour unions in the various sectors mainly in the industry, oil and gas and tourism sectors.
The Ministry in cooperation with the parties to production (employees and employers) has maintained progress in terms of work relations reducing labour disputes from 84 cases in 2014 to 63 in 2015, all amicably settled except one referred to the court.
The current Omani Labour Law has seen amendments in order to keep abreast of the latest developments in the labour market, the latest of which were the amendments issued by Royal Decree No. 113/2011, followed by the decision of the Council of Ministers on conducting a comprehensive revision on the labour law as to cope with the current developments and future requirements.
A team was formed by the government, OCCI and the Sultanate’s General Trade Union to review the labour law, he added.
Nabhan Al Battashi, chairman of Sultanate’s General Trade Union said that the annual meeting aimed at direct communication with the Ministry of Manpower for regulating the labour market. He also stressed the significance of such direct meetings .
The meeting also reviewed the mechanism for enhancement of training of national manpower among other issues.