Oman among leading Arab countries in ITUC Global Rights Index
BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT, JUNE 2
Oman has emerged as one of the leading Arab countries in the ITUC Global Rights Index, published by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). The country's rating improved from Level 4 to Level 3 — a notable step forward in terms of trade union rights and freedoms. This progress reflects the sustained efforts of the General Federation of Oman Workers (GFOW) at both national and international levels.
According to the Index, the improved rating is the result of a series of reforms to labour legislation and regulatory frameworks. These reforms include enhanced access to justice for workers and the promotion of more effective tripartite dialogue between the government, employers, and workers' representatives. This has been achieved through the establishment of a joint dialogue committee comprising representatives of all three parties, tasked with drafting, reviewing, and amending labour laws and policies.
The reforms introduced in recent years have contributed to fostering constructive dialogue on labour and employment issues and to strengthening mechanisms for the resolution of labour disputes.
The ITUC Global Rights Index is an annual global assessment of trade union rights and human rights in the world of work. It is published by the ITUC as part of the International Labour Conference (ILC), held annually in Geneva, Switzerland. The Index ranks countries on a scale from 1 (best) to 5+ (worst), based on 97 indicators derived from International Labour Organization (ILO) standards. These include restrictions on collective bargaining, the right to strike, freedom of association, trade union membership, violence against trade unionists, and limitations on freedom of expression.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
6 hours ago
- Observer
Oman Embassy clarifies on recruitment of Indonesian domestic workers
Muscat: The Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Jakarta issued on Wednesday a notice urging Omani citizens not to deal with offices involved in the recruitment of domestic workers in the Republic of Indonesia. According to the embassy, the export of Indonesian domestic workers is currently not officially permitted to Arab countries, including the Sultanate of Oman. The statement clarified that such recruitment remains unofficial and unauthorised. As a result, any financial transactions made for this purpose cannot be legally pursued, and the embassy confirmed that no legal procedures can be taken to recover funds transferred for unapproved recruitment. The embassy emphasised the importance of avoiding dealings that fall outside the official framework, as they are considered illegal.
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
In Cairo, the little indie cinema that could
In the heart of Cairo, a small cinema has for over a decade offered a unique space for independent film in a country whose industry is largely dominated by commercial considerations. Zawya, meaning "perspective" in Arabic, has weathered the storm of Egypt's economic upheavals, championing a more artistic approach from the historical heart of the country's golden age of cinema. Zawya was born in the post-revolutionary artistic fervour of the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime president Hosni Mubarak. "There was this energy where people wanted to produce and create, not just in cinema, but in all the arts, you could feel it," said Zawya founder Youssef Shazli. In the time since, it has escaped a wave of closures -- some forced -- of art centres across the capital. Egypt had long been known as the Hollywood of the Arab world, but in the decades since its mid-century heyday, the domestic industry has largely been restricted to crowd-pleasing blockbusters. "It's often said that we're lucky to have a large film industry, with infrastructure already in place," said filmmaker Maged Nader. "But the truth is this industry operates solely on a commercial logic," leaving little room for independent filmmakers, he added. Yet Zawya has survived in its niche, in part due to the relative financial stability afforded to it by its parent company Misr International Films. Founded in 1972 by Egyptian cinematic giant Youssef Chahine -- Shazli's great uncle -- the company continues to produce and distribute films. - Young talent - For Shazli, Zawya is "a cinema for films that don't fit into traditional theatres". But for young cinephiles like 24-year-old actress Lujain, "it feels like home," she told AFP as she joined a winding queue into the larger of Zawya's two theatres. Since 2014, Zawya's year-round programming -- including both local and international short films, documentaries and feature films -- has secured the loyalty of a small but passionate scene. Its annual short film festival, held every spring, has become a vital space for up-and-coming directors trying to break through a system that leaves little room for experimentation. "I didn't even consider myself a filmmaker until Zawya screened my short," said Michael Samuel, 24, who works in advertising but says the cinema rekindled his artistic ambition. For many, that validation keeps them going. "Zawya has encouraged more people to produce these films because they finally have somewhere to be seen," said the cinema's manager, Mohamed Said. When Mostafa Gerbeii, a self-taught filmmaker, was looking for a set for his first film shoot, he also turned to the cinema. Without a studio or a budget, Zawya "just lent us their hall for free for a whole day", he said, saving the young director 100,000 Egyptian pounds (around $2,000) to rent a location. People arrive at the Zawya cinema in downtown Cairo on May 1, 2025. In the heart of Cairo, a small cinema has for over a decade offered a unique space for independent film in a country whose industry is largely dominated by commercial considerations (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) - The heir - The light of its marquee spilling onto downtown Cairo's Emad al-Din Street, Zawya is the 21st-century heir to a long artistic tradition that still lingers, though often hidden away in corners of the district's broad avenues. "It's a unique neighbourhood with an equally unique flavour of artistic and intellectual life," said Chihab El Khachab, a professor at the University of Oxford and author of the book "Making Film in Egypt". Starting in the late 19th century, the area was home to the city's biggest theatres and cabarets, launching the careers of the Arab world's most celebrated singers and actors. Today, its arteries flowing out of Tahrir square -- the heart of the 2011 uprising -- the neighbourhood is home to new-age coworking spaces and galleries, side by side with century-old theatres and bars. Yet even as it withstands the hegemony of mall multiplexes, Zawya cannot escape Egypt's pervasive censorship laws. Like every cinema in Egypt, each film must pass through a state censors before screening. "Over time, you learn to predict what will slide and what won't," Shazli said. But even the censors' scissors have failed to cut off the stream of ambition among burgeoning filmmakers. "Around Zawya, there's a lot of talent -- in every corner," Shazli said. "But what I wonder is: are there as many opportunities as there is talent? That's the real issue we need to address." —AFP
2 days ago
Oman improves workers' rights ranking in 2025 ITUC index
Muscat – Oman has improved its standing in the 2025 ITUC Global Rights Index, moving from a rating of 4 to 3 – an improvement described as significant by labour observers. Released by International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) during the International Labour Conference in Geneva being held from June 2 to 13, the index assesses workers' rights across 151 countries. The rise in Oman's rating resulted from a series of recent labour reforms, particularly establishment of a tripartite dialogue mechanism involving representatives from the government, employers and workers. The mechanism is led by General Federation of Oman Workers (GFOW) and aims to enhance social dialogue and ensure more inclusive policymaking. 'These reforms have paved the way for constructive engagement on employment issues and more efficient mechanisms for resolving labour disputes,' the ITUC report stated. The tripartite committee now plays a key role in drafting, reviewing and amending labour legislation. The reforms have also improved workers' access to justice and promoted fairer dispute resolution processes. The Global Rights Index measures countries against 97 indicators based on International Labour Organization (ILO) standards, covering the right to strike, freedom of association, collective bargaining, protection from violence and freedom of expression for trade unionists. Ratings range from 1 (best) to 5 (worst). Oman's progress contrasts with broader regional trends. The Middle East and North Africa remains the lowest-ranked region globally, with an average score of 4.68 in 2025, slightly better than its lowest-ever score of 4.74 in 2024. The report stated, 'This indicates that most workers are subject to systematic violations or have no guarantee of basic labour rights.' It noted that workers in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates continue to face bans or restrictions on freedom of association and the right to organise. These limitations particularly affect migrant workers, who make up a large portion of the workforce in those countries. 'Oman offered a glimmer of progress, improving its rating from 4 to 3 in 2025, due to a series of progressive labour reforms aimed at strengthening social dialogue and dispute resolution,' the report added. Oman is one of only three countries that improved their ratings this year, alongside Australia and Moldova. In contrast, seven countries – Argentina, Costa Rica, Georgia, Italy, Mauritania, Niger and Panama – saw their ratings worsen. The ten worst countries for workers in 2025 were listed as Bangladesh, Belarus, Ecuador, Egypt, Eswatini, Myanmar, Nigeria, the Philippines, Tunisia and Türkiye. ITUC said this year's report revealed a worsening crisis for workers and unions globally, with average ratings deteriorating in three out of five world regions. Europe and the Americas recorded their worst scores since the index was launched in 2014. Only seven countries received the top-tier rating in 2025.
