Oman's workers' federation highlights layoffs
Muscat – The General Federation of Oman Workers (GFOW) has revealed in its latest report that 31 Omani workers were laid off from their jobs in February 2025.
Additionally, the federation confirmed actions to prevent the termination of another 30 Omani workers during the same month.
In its commitment to safeguarding workers' rights, GFOW provided 52 legal assistances in February. The federation also received 52 complaints from 51 establishments regarding employment terminations throughout 2023.
These complaints primarily concerned unfair dismissals, but also included issues related to delayed payments, cessation of wages, poor working conditions, and non-compliance with safety and occupational health standards. Non-Omani workers were also among those dismissed by private sector establishments.
The report further highlighted the expansion of labour unions across Oman. As of February 2025, the number of labour unions in the sultanate reached 327, spanning 16 sectors.
The majority of unions operate within the commerce and industry sector (99 unions or 30%), followed by the oil and gas sector (82 unions or 25%), and the construction and contracting sector (32 unions or 9.7%).
Additionally, a new sectoral worker union was established in February. These unions function as centralised organisations, coordinating and facilitating communication between the individual unions and the federation to enhance collective bargaining and support for workers' rights.
GFOW continues to advocate for fair treatment, safe working environments, and the legal rights of workers in Oman.
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