Latest news with #Samail
Muscat Daily
20-05-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Majlis A'Shura calls for review of SME hiring policy
Muscat – The Ministry of Labour directive requiring commercial establishments operating for more than a year to employ at least one Omani citizen within 30 days of notification came under scrutiny in Majlis A'Shura on Tuesday. The issue was raised in an urgent statement by Mohammed Nasser al Mahrouqi, representative of the wilayat of Sinaw, during a session chaired by H E Khalid bin Hilal al Maawali on Tuesday. Mahrouqi said the directive caught many micro, small and medium-sized businesses by surprise, noting that the mandatory hiring requirement, coupled with a minimum monthly salary of RO325, poses a heavy financial burden particularly on firms in rural areas. While expressing support for Omanisation, Mahrouqi called for a more comprehensive and evidence-based national employment strategy. He urged exemption for micro and small enterprises and phased implementation of the directive in medium-sized enterprises. In another urgent statement, Mohammed Khamis al Husseini, representative from Samail, highlighted the poor performance of several food security projects despite significant state investment. He attributed the failure to flawed feasibility studies, bureaucratic inefficiencies and weak management. Husseini called for a full review of government-supported food security initiatives and recommended restructuring, partnerships with strategic investors or liquidation of underperforming entities. He noted the increasing importance of domestic food production amid rising global supply constraints and export restrictions. Mohammed Nasser al Mahrouqi, Majlis A'Shura representative of the wilayat of Sinaw The session approved two key draft laws with amendments – the Arbitration Law in Civil and Commercial Disputes and the draft Real Estate Registry Law – both referred by the government. Dr Ahmed Ali al Saadi, Chairman of the Legislative and Legal Committee, said the amendments to the arbitration law aim to streamline procedures, enhance fairness and align Oman's legal framework with international standards. He added that the Real Estate Registry Law will modernise the sector by introducing electronic documentation and ownership systems to ensure transparency and efficiency, while integrating the sector with Oman's broader digital infrastructure. The session also approved a report by the Public Services and Utilities Committee regarding a draft air transport agreement between Oman and the Kyrgyz Republic. Hamoud Ahmed al Yahyai, chairman of the committee, said the agreement would enhance civil aviation cooperation and support trade and tourism links. Other draft laws reviewed included the National Spatial Data Law, Unified Industrial Regulation for GCC Countries and the draft Sports Bodies Law. The shura is scheduled to reconvene on Wednesday to review the draft Civil Society Institutions Law.
Observer
06-04-2025
- Climate
- Observer
Summer is almost here as temperatures cross 40°C in some governorates
Muscat: Just as the holy month of Ramadhan and the Eid al-Fitr just passed by with people taking advantage of the weather conducive for outdoor socialising and vacationing, temperatures in most governorates of the Sultanate of Oman have started going up at a brisk pace. The Sultanate of Oman is witnessing a steady rise in temperatures, with mercury levels touching 40°C across many governorates, which mark the onset of summer and the gradual end of winter. The Wilayat of Sur recorded the highest temperature of 41°C during the last 24 hours, according to the Oman Meteorology bulletin. In the capital, Bausher reported 40.6°C, Samail 39.6°C, Jaalan Bani Bu Hassan 38.7°C, and Al Buraimi 39°C. It may be noted that 2024 was the planet's warmest year on record, according to an analysis by scientists from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed that 2024 is the warmest year on record, based on six international datasets. The past ten years have all been in the Top Ten, in an extraordinary streak of record-breaking temperatures. A study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences found that ocean warming in 2024 played a key role in the record high temperatures. The ocean is the warmest it has ever been as recorded by humans, not only at the surface but also for the upper 2000 meters, according to the study led by Prof. Lijing Cheng with the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It involved a team of 54 scientists from seven countries and 31 institutes. About 90% of the excess heat from global warming is stored in the ocean, making ocean heat content a critical indicator of climate change. From 2023 to 2024, the global upper 2000 m ocean heat content increase is 16 zettajoules (1021 Joules), about 140 times the world's total electricity generation in 2023, according to the study, which is based on the Institute of Atmospheric Physics dataset. About 90% of the excess heat from global warming is stored in the ocean, making ocean heat content a critical indicator of climate change. From 2023 to 2024, the global upper 2000 m ocean heat content increase is 16 zettajoules (1021 Joules), about 140 times the world's total electricity generation in 2023, according to the study, which is based on the Institute of Atmospheric Physics dataset.
