12-day Work Forum to tackle Oman's labour market challenges
Inaugurated by H E Mahad Baawain, Minister of Labour, the forum has brought together over 1,000 participants including international experts, senior officials, business leaders and investors.
The event will feature 33 working papers focused on aligning labour policies with emerging trends, fostering public-private partnerships and promoting sustainable employment models in line with Oman Vision 2040.
Nasser Salim al Hadhrami, Director General of Labour in Dhofar, said the forum highlights Oman's commitment to keeping pace with global labour developments. 'Introduction of the new Labour Law and Social Protection Law reflects our efforts to align with international standards,' he said. 'We are moving towards comprehensive strategies in education, training and employment to support emerging work patterns.'
Mohammed Hassan al Obaidli, Director General of Executive Bureau of GCC Council of Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs, warned that rapid economic and technological transformations are reshaping the labour landscape. 'We must build fair and flexible models for skills development, employment and social protection,' he said.
Azar Bayramov, Director General of OIC Labour Centre, said the forum plays a critical role in fostering cooperation. 'Our mission is to be a bridge between governments, workers and employers to ensure decent work for all,' he said, announcing a post-forum training programme on leadership in occupational safety and health for Omani stakeholders.
The forum is being held in collaboration with local and international partners, including Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the General Federation of Oman Workers and Arab Labor Organization.
Activities during the forum will include exhibitions by vocational students, dialogue sessions with employers and H E Baawain, and discussions on government transformation and sustainable leadership. The event will conclude on August 14.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Muscat Daily
4 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
Omani experts urge to anchor social media use in cultural identity
Muscat – Social media has become a powerful force shaping public opinion, cultural awareness and personal identity. Experts in Oman are calling for a collective responsibility to ensure that digital behaviour reflects the country's values and national character. Dr Sabra bint Saif al Harrasi, academic and educational researcher, said that Omani identity is deeply rooted in a legacy of character and tolerance. 'Whenever the Sultanate of Oman is mentioned, morals come before borders, and character before name,' she said. Quoting a saying attributed to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), she noted that Omanis have long been known for their noble conduct and refined speech. Dr Sabra warned that as digital platforms shape taste and behaviour, preserving cultural identity online has become essential. 'This is not only an educational need but a pillar of cultural security. The content we produce should reflect our heritage and values,' she said. She stressed that the role of the family remains central. 'There is no digital upbringing without an active family presence. Children learn more from what is practiced at home than what is preached.' She emphasised the need for conversations over commands, and role models who live the values they promote. On content creation, Dr Sabra said children should be encouraged to be producers, not just passive consumers. 'When they create, they become more cautious about what they receive.' She called for digital libraries at home and meaningful content archives to shape their preferences. Dr Amal bint Talib al Jahouri, a researcher in media and cultural affairs, said social media's impact on identity is double-edged. 'It can be a tool to spread pride in national culture or a challenge due to the overlap of global influences,' she said. She noted that traditional and modern media, guided by Oman Vision 2040, have a responsibility to deliver content that strengthens national identity and educates youth on cultural values. 'Media must counter misinformation by providing reliable information and reinforcing cultural identity in interactive ways.' She recommended creating spaces for dialogue between generations and empowering youth to lead digital content creation that reflects Omani values. Qut al Qulub bint Azzan al Hussaini, a social media activist, believes digital influence carries a responsibility. 'Anyone active on these platforms should be an ambassador of our identity. Influence is not a privilege – it's a moral obligation,' she said. She called for a professional environment to support content creators and emphasised that quality should never be compromised for views. 'We must simplify ideas without diluting their meaning, and connect the younger generation to local and global issues through values-driven content.' As Oman continues to navigate the digital age, the consensus among experts is clear: Preserving identity online is a shared duty, starting at home and extending through schools, media, and digital platforms.
Muscat Daily
5 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
Tamkeen & Sumo exhibition backs SME growth in Dhofar
Salalah – More than 75 small and medium enterprises from sectors including tourism, retail, food and beverage, and handicrafts are taking part in an exhibition called 'Tamkeen & Sumo', which opened in Salalah on Tuesday evening. Organised by the SME Committee of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), the exhibition at Atina Land opened under the patronage of H H Sayyid Harib bin Thuwaini al Said, Assistant Secretary-General for Conferences in Council of Ministers. The event will run till August 20. Sheikh Faisal bin Abdullah al Rawas, Chairman of OCCI, said the exhibition 'goes beyond a promotional platform' and offers 'a space for engagement and partnership building between SMEs and business sectors'. He added that Tamkeen & Sumo reflects the chamber's efforts to support SMEs as a core part of the national economy in line with Oman Vision 2040. 'Through this exhibition, we aim to enable SMEs to access new markets, explore cooperation and investment opportunities, and engage in knowledge exchange with entrepreneurs and support entities.' Sheikh Ahmed bin Amer al Musalhi, Chairman of the SME Committee, described the exhibition as 'an opportunity to promote SME products and services and boost their competitiveness in the local market'. He stressed that building business relations with private sector institutions is a key goal. 'We continue working to enhance SME participation in events and exhibitions, believing in their role in economic development, job creation and knowledge transfer,' he said. On the sidelines of the exhibition, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between OCCI's Social Investment Centre and the Business Development Centre, which owns the 'Hissaty' platform. The agreement aims to develop social investment tools that empower SME owners and align with Oman Vision 2040. According to organisers, the agreement is a strategic step towards fostering a culture of social investment within the business environment. The exhibition includes dedicated sections such as Entrepreneurs' Corner, Innovation Corner, Handicraft Workshops Corner and Junior Entrepreneur Corner. The latter showcases children's talent. It also features the Sohar International Competition to highlight brand identity and encourage creativity and excellence.
Muscat Daily
5 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
65% Omanis in private sector earn less than RO600
Muscat – Omani nationals employed in the government sector continue to earn significantly higher wages compared to their counterparts in the private sector, according to 2024 data from National Centre for Statistics and Information. Out of 740,877 Omanis insured in 2024, 392,011 work in the government and 348,866 are in the private sector. Despite this near-even split, a stark contrast emerges in wage distribution. The private sector has a heavy concentration of Omanis in the lowest wage brackets. A total of 138,632 private sector employees earn between RO325 and RO400 monthly, representing nearly 40% of all Omanis in the private sector. In contrast, 5,077 government employees fall within this bracket, which is 1.3% of all those employed in the government sector. The disparity persists across other low-income bands. A total of 47,713 private sector employees earn RO400-RO500, compared to 11,047 in government. In the RO500-RO600 bracket, 40,387 are in private jobs versus 30,090 in government. Combined, more than 65% Omanis in the private sector earn less than RO600, whereas less than 12% government employees fall into this category. At the higher end of the wage spectrum, the imbalance is reversed. In the RO2,000 to RO2,500 range, 4,987 are government compared to 7,797 private sector employees. Among those earning RO2,500 or more, 16,172 are in the private sector while 5,689 are in government. This suggests a narrowing gap at the very top but a broader divide across the lower and middle wage tiers. Gender disparities are also evident. Of the total 740,877 Omanis insured, 215,671 are women and 525,206 are men. Male employees dominate all income categories, especially the higher wage brackets. Sector-wise, Omanis in the private sector are spread across different fields. The construction sector employs the largest number of Omanis – 76,573 – followed by manufacturing (57,627), wholesale, retail trade and repair of vehicles (56,543), agriculture and fisheries (47,929), and transport and storage (47,428) making the top five sectors employing citizens. For expatriates, the construction sector is the largest employer (439,924), followed by wholesale, retail trade and repair of vehicles (277,247), those employed by households (272,542), manufacturing (183,134) and administrative and support services (134,275), making the top five sectors employing expatriate workers.
