Latest news with #RO60mn
Muscat Daily
3 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman's MoL pushes labour amnesty deadline to Dec 31
By OUR CORRESPONDENT Muscat – In response to public and institutional requests, Ministry of Labour (MoL) has announced an extension of the status correction period for workers and employers till December 31, 2025. In a circular issued on Monday, MoL confirmed that the decision follows numerous appeals from individuals, employers and workers across the sultanate seeking additional time to complete legal procedures. The original deadline was set for July 31. 'This extension is aimed at allowing the largest possible number of beneficiaries to finalise their legal requirements,' the ministry stated, stressing that this will be the final grace period. It urged all concerned parties to take advantage of the extension and rectify their status in accordance with the law. The ministry directed all relevant departments and agencies to take necessary steps to implement the new deadline in line with public interest. The amnesty initiative, introduced in January and approved by the Council of Ministers, includes a set of exemptions and waivers exceeding RO60mn. Key measures include cancellation of fines for expired labour cards inactive for more than seven years and exemption from repatriation ticket costs for workers who left before 2017. Labour cards unused for over ten years will be cancelled, though these can be reactivated under certain conditions such as submitting renewal requests, transferring services or reporting work abandonment. Companies that were officially liquidated can also have financial obligations waived provided their employees are repatriated or transferred to other employers. During the amnesty period, which began on February 1, fines associated with labour cards will be dropped if certain conditions are met. These include renewing the cards, paying fees for two years and cancelling existing work abandonment reports. MoL reiterated that the amnesty extension aims to create a balanced, legally compliant labour market, protect the rights of all parties and improve regulatory oversight.
Muscat Daily
08-07-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Labour amnesty in Oman ends on July 31
Muscat – Ministry of Labour has issued a final reminder that the grace period to regularise legal employment status ends on July 31, 2025. Individuals, employers and workers across the sultanate are urged to take advantage of the exemption and waiver currently available. According to the ministry, applications for employment regularisation will not be accepted after July 31. The announcement follows MoL's earlier directive in January, which outlined a set of financial exemptions and settlements exceeding RO60mn. Approved by the Council of Ministers, the initiative aims to improve labour market regulation, protect the rights of all parties, and establish a more balanced and legally compliant workforce structure. Key measures include cancellation of all fines and dues for expired labour cards invalid for more than seven years. Employers will also be exempt from repatriation ticket costs incurred before 2017. Labour cards unused for over a decade, with no service requests, will be cancelled. These cards may be reactivated under certain conditions, including submitting renewal requests, processing final departure, service transfers or reporting work abandonment. Financial obligations of companies that have been officially liquidated will also be waived, provided their employees are repatriated or transferred to other employers. During the amnesty period, which started on February 1, fines associated with labour cards will be dropped if certain conditions are met. These include renewing cards, paying fees for two years and cancelling work abandonment reports. Applications can be submitted through MoL's official website or via authorised service centres till July 31.
Muscat Daily
21-06-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman targets bigger AI role in economy with new initiatives
Muscat – Oman is taking steps to increase the contribution of the artificial intelligence (AI) sector to its national economy by expanding the number of specialised start-ups and boosting research and investment in the field. Hassan bin Fida Hussain al Lawati, Head of National Programme for AI and Advanced Digital Technologies at Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), said the programme benefits economic, development and service sectors, directly impacting citizens' quality of life. He said the programme aims to increase the number of technology companies specialising in AI by 20% each year. The number of such companies now exceeds 25, up from fewer than ten at the programme's launch last year. Cumulative investments in AI projects have reached about RO60mn over the last four years, with annual investment expected to grow by 20%. Hassan bin Fida Hussain al Lawati In September 2024, the Council of Ministers approved the National Programme for AI and Advanced Digital Technologies as part of a broader strategy built on three pillars, the first of which is promoting AI adoption in economic and development sectors. The second focuses on localising AI technologies and developing national expertise to position Oman as a technology producer. The third pillar governs AI and digital applications with a human-centred approach to ensure ethical and effective use under flexible laws. Lawati noted that Oman moved up five places in the Oxford Insight Government AI Readiness Index, ranking 45th globally out of 193 countries in 2024, compared to 50th in 2023. It ranks fifth in the Middle East and North Africa and fourth in the Gulf. Oman aims to join the world's top 30 countries in this field, he added. He further informed that MTCIT, in partnership with University of Technology and Applied Sciences, launched an initiative called AI Makers to encourage work in the field and reward top researchers, scientific papers and projects in AI. MTCIT also introduced a competition called 'Engineer it with AI' to support local development in generative AI, enhance national skills and encourage innovation. The contest aims to boost economic returns by helping new start-ups and raising national performance indicators. In addition, an initiative called Humanising AI has been launched to maintain a balance between technical progress and the human aspect of service delivery, ensuring inclusivity for all groups in society.
Muscat Daily
15-03-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman Food Bank to combat food waste, support 6,000 families
Muscat – Oman Food Bank (Daima) has launched several initiatives aimed at assisting over 6,000 families across the sultanate in an effort to reduce food waste and support needy families during Ramadan. Ahood bint Abdullah al Habishiya, Director of Marketing and Projects at Oman Food Bank, told Muscat Daily that these initiatives include distribution of iftar meals, food baskets, and fruits and vegetables. 'These initiatives are not just about providing food during Ramadan but also about promoting a culture of preserving blessings and minimising food waste,' Ahood said. Since its establishment in 2021, the food bank has been dedicated to preserving surplus food and distributing it among those in need. To date, the organisation has distributed over 300,000 meals, equivalent to around 180 tonnes of food. However, the bank's vision extends beyond food distribution. It actively works on recycling surplus food and transforming it into locally beneficial resources. This approach aligns with Oman's broader sustainability goals under Vision 2040, focusing on economic and environmental sustainability. 'Our mission is to reduce food waste, promote sustainability and enhance food security by ensuring that surplus food reaches those who need it most,' Ahood said. Highlighting the scale of the issue, Ahood cited data from be'ah, which revealed that Oman generates approximately 560,000 tonnes of food waste annually, incurring costs of around RO60mn. Additionally, the country imports food worth about RO1bn each year, while managing household waste costs an additional RO100mn. She stressed the importance of adopting smarter consumption habits to reduce waste. 'We should rationalise our spending, purchase only essential items and adopt more mindful consumption practices.' Ahood suggested practical steps such as preparing shopping lists, cooking in smaller quantities for gatherings, and teaching children the value of food and the importance of minimising waste. International practices offer valuable insights. In China, restaurants face penalties for generating excessive food waste, while South Korea enforces strict food recycling regulations. The latter recycles over 90% of its food waste – turning 30% into fertiliser, 60% into animal feed and 10% into biofuel. Ahood added that tackling food waste in Oman requires collective action. 'We need to enhance volunteer work and encourage the community to participate in reducing waste and promoting responsible food disposal.' However, the mission is not without challenges. Identifying and reaching eligible families, ensuring safety in surplus food distribution, and raising awareness about the food bank's role in food security remain key obstacles. She also underscored the need for stronger legal frameworks to manage food waste and encourage collaboration among charitable organisations. Highlighting the global context, she noted, 'Over a billion people worldwide suffer from poverty and hunger, while nearly a third of all food is lost or wasted before it reaches consumers.' To address this, Oman Food Bank collaborates with specialised institutions and leverages social media platforms to raise awareness about responsible consumption and the negative impacts of food waste. 'Our goal is to emphasise the value of food, highlight the consequences of waste and raise awareness about its impact on food security,' she said. Ahood concluded by calling for unified efforts to address these challenges and build a more sustainable and food-secure society in Oman.
