Latest news with #LabourForum
Observer
4 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Minister of Labour meets business leaders in Salalah to strengthen private sector partnership
SALALAH: Oman's Minister of Labour, Dr. Mahad bin Said Baaouin, met with business owners and investors in Salalah on Wednesday to discuss strategies for building a sustainable labor market and advancing private sector growth in line with Oman Vision 2040. The meeting, held at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment on the sidelines of the second edition of the Labour Forum, brought together entrepreneurs, small and medium enterprise (SME) owners, and investors from Dhofar Governorate. In his remarks, Dr. Baaouin highlighted the ministry's efforts to modernise labor market tools, streamline regulations, and expand support to private sector institutions. He stressed that the ministry's employment initiatives, developed in partnership with employers, aim to match market needs with the skills of Omani jobseekers through targeted training and innovation-led projects. 'The next stage requires us to accelerate our efforts, integrate public and private sector capabilities, and ensure stability in the labour market to keep pace with global changes,' he said, adding that SMEs, artificial intelligence, and innovation will be central to economic growth. Business leaders raised issues affecting their operations, including administrative procedures, Omanisation requirements in certain sectors, and the need for greater flexibility in recruitment and workforce development. Discussions also covered opportunities to expand existing projects, attract investment, and strengthen training programmes for national cadres. The minister emphasised the importance of Dhofar's rapidly expanding private sector, particularly in tourism, which is witnessing strong growth during the Khareef season. He also acknowledged the role of SMEs in job creation and local economic diversification. The Labour Forum serves as a national platform for dialogue between government, business, and academia. This year's edition focuses on aligning human capital development, entrepreneurship, and economic diversification with Oman Vision 2040's strategic objectives.
Observer
6 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Forum discusses impact of tech on jobs and skills
SALALAH: Oman has officially launched the 'Future of the World of Work Forum' in Salalah, marking a major milestone in national and regional efforts to prepare for fast-evolving changes in the labour market. Organised by the Ministry of Labour as part of the broader Labour Forum, the event is taking place over two days in Dhofar Governorate and brings together a wide range of experts, policymakers and academics from across Oman and the Gulf. The forum aims to generate actionable recommendations that enhance national employment strategies Held at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment, the forum serves as a strategic platform to explore how economic and technological transformations are reshaping jobs, skills and employment systems. The goal is to anticipate future shifts and develop policies that equip Oman's workforce — and those across the GCC — with the tools to remain competitive in a rapidly changing world. On its first day, the forum featured two major dialogue sessions addressing pressing issues facing today's labour markets. The first session, titled 'Major Transformations and the Sustainability of Labour Markets', presented three policy-driven working papers on economic transformations, employment policies focused on continuous learning, and GCC approaches to labour market sustainability. The forum aims to generate actionable recommendations that enhance national employment strategies The second session focused on education and skills under the theme 'Economic Transformations and the Future of Skills: The GCC Context.' Speakers shared insights on leading the employment ecosystem through governance models, forecasting skills needs to meet development goals and the evolving role of education policy. The forum's themes align with Oman Vision 2040 and the broader Gulf vision for inclusive, sustainable and knowledge-based economic growth. It aims to generate actionable recommendations that enhance national employment strategies and ensure regional human capital can adapt to future challenges. Running alongside the main forum is an exhibition titled 'Future Talents... Thought and Action', featuring innovative student projects from vocational colleges across Oman. This space provides young Omanis a platform to showcase their creativity and readiness for the future workforce. A special session held as part of the exhibition discussed vocational training and entrepreneurship to empower youth to take an active role in sustainable development. The 'Future of the World of Work Forum' underlines Oman's proactive commitment to preparing a resilient and future-ready workforce, capable of navigating global shifts while driving national and regional prosperity.
