Latest news with #SocialProtectionFund
Muscat Daily
3 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Shura committee calls for resumption of job security benefits
Muscat – The Youth and Human Resources Committee of Majlis A'Shura has called for immediate resumptionof the job security benefit previously extended to laid-off workers, citing significant social and economic repercussions of its suspension. Chaired by Younis al Mandhari, the committee met on Tuesday to examine the impact of freezing the benefit disbursed by Social Protection Fund. Members raised concerns about the worsening living conditions of those affected and emphasised the need to resume the aid to ensure psychological and social stability for impacted individuals and their families. The committee urged relevant authorities to take immediate steps, including empowering governorates and promoting decentralised decision-making in employment and redundancy matters. Members noted that such an approach would facilitate faster, locally-tailored solutions aligned with the specific needs of each governorate. There was strong emphasis on the need to create job opportunities based on qualifications and professional experience of laid-off workers, alongside implementation of requalification and skills development programmes to support their reintegration into the labour market. The committee also called for building a comprehensive and regularly updated database of jobseekers and laid-off individuals to better inform national employment policies and future strategies. Among the proposed measures was amendment or introduction of legislation to improve protection mechanisms for the national workforce. The committee discussed the possibility of allocating dedicated vacancies in government institutions and state-owned enterprises specifically for laid-off workers. In support of national workforce retention, members highlighted the urgency of accelerating Omanisation. They recommended replacing expatriate-held jobs with qualified Omanis and suggested increasing the cost of hiring expatriates in the private sector to encourage employment of citizens. Concluding the session, the committee stressed the need for a holistic and long-term approach to address layoffs, beginning with tackling root causes. This, they said, includes overcoming legal and administrative obstacles and establishing a national action plan to ensure employment stability and social justice for Omani citizens.
Muscat Daily
3 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Majlis A' Shura discuss repercussions of suspension of job security benefit for laid-off workers
Muscat – The Youth and Human Resources Committee of the Shura Council held a meeting on Tuesday, chaired by Younis al Mandhari, to address the implications of suspending the job security benefit previously granted to laid-off workers. The committee expressed concern over the social and economic hardships faced by affected citizens, emphasizing the urgent need to resume disbursement of the benefit provided by the Social Protection Fund. Members highlighted that many individuals have experienced a significant deterioration in living conditions, making it essential to restore the support to ensure psychological and social stability. In their recommendations, the committee called on relevant authorities to take swift, practical steps, including empowering local governorates and decentralizing employment-related decisions. This would allow for region-specific solutions tailored to local labor market needs and redundancy challenges. Members also stressed the importance of offering employment opportunities that align with the qualifications and professional experience of laid-off workers. They proposed the launch of requalification and reintegration programs that promote a dignified and secure return to the job market. To improve long-term planning, the committee recommended the creation of a comprehensive, up-to-date database of job seekers and laid-off individuals. Such a tool would help shape more effective national employment strategies and policies. Further proposals included reviewing or amending existing legislation to enhance workforce protections, reserving job vacancies in government and state-owned entities for laid-off nationals, and accelerating Omanisation by replacing expatriate-held positions with qualified Omani personnel. Raising the cost of hiring foreign labor in the private sector was also discussed as a way to encourage local recruitment. In conclusion, the committee called for a holistic, long-term national strategy to address layoffs, focused on tackling root causes rather than short-term fixes. They emphasised the importance of legal and administrative reforms and the establishment of a national action plan to ensure employment stability and social justice for all Omani citizens.
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Shura's panel discusses halting job security benefit for laid-off workers
Muscat: The Youth and Human Resources Committee at the Shura Council held a meeting on Tuesday, chaired by Younis Al-Mandhari, to discuss the implications of suspending the job security benefit granted to laid-off workers. Discussions focused on the social and economic impact of halting the benefit provided by the Social Protection Fund, particularly to individuals whose living conditions have deteriorated as a result. The committee members emphasised the urgent need to resume the disbursement of this benefit to alleviate hardship and ensure psychological and social stability for affected citizens. The committee called for immediate practical steps from the relevant authorities to resolve the issue. This includes involving local governorates in the process and promoting decentralisation in employment decisions and redundancy-related matters—allowing for faster, region-specific solutions aligned with local needs. Members also stressed the importance of providing employment opportunities that match the qualifications and professional experience of laid-off workers. They highlighted the need for programmes that support their requalification and reintegration into the labour market in a way that preserves dignity and secures financial and emotional well-being. Additionally, the committee underscored the necessity of building a comprehensive, up-to-date database of job seekers and laid-off individuals to guide the development of future policies and national employment strategies. As part of potential solutions, the committee explored amending existing legislation or introducing new legal proposals to enhance protections for the national workforce. They also discussed allocating specific vacancies within government institutions and state-owned enterprises for laid-off workers. The discussion included the importance of accelerating the implementation of the Omanisation policy by replacing expatriate-held roles with qualified national personnel, as well as raising the cost of hiring foreign workers in the private sector to incentivise employers to recruit Omanis. In conclusion, the committee stressed the need for a comprehensive and long-term approach to address the issue of workforce layoffs, starting with tackling the root causes rather than merely responding to consequences. This includes overcoming legal and administrative barriers and establishing a national action plan that ensures social justice and employment stability for all citizens.
Observer
21-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
Over 1.5 million Omanis get social protection
Muscat: More than 1.53 million individuals across various categories have benefited from Social Protection Fund in the country, reflecting the government's continued commitment to inclusive welfare under Oman Vision 2040. The SPF indicated that the largest share of beneficiaries were children, with numbers reaching 1,243,781. Senior citizens accounted for 173,324 beneficiaries, while 47,579 people with disabilities also received assistance under the fund's social protection umbrella. The report further highlights that 16,777 individuals received the job security allowance – a safety net designed to protect Omani workers from sudden income loss. 56,808 beneficiaries received 'family income support', with 36,632 specifically receiving family income support and 20,176 applications processed under the social security payment scheme. Additionally, 16,041 widows and orphans were covered by dedicated support programmes. In terms of social insurance, the Fund reported 141,000 active pensions disbursed as of June 2025. The report also highlighted a positive trend in contributions, with over 594,000 Omanis signing up for the insurance. The Social Protection Fund has paved the way for implementing the provisions of the Social Protection Law since the beginning of 2024. Steps in this direction include setting up branches of social insurance and social protection schemes that establish pillars for the protection of individuals and family members against multiple risks in life within the framework of a future vision for comprehensive social protection. Over 1.5 million Omanis get social protection Direct cash benefits are disbursed to those eligible across different segments of society. The schemes are fully funded by the state's public treasury, which saw the introduction of schemes to persons with disabilities, children, the elderly, orphans and widows. The Social Protection Fund has been linked with 12 government institutions during 2024. The system represents a very advanced step in extending protection to Omani citizens. It reflects the deep attention accorded to the social aspects by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, in accordance with what is included in the Basic Law of the State and Oman Vision 2040. GRAPH POINT WITH PHOTO 1,243,781 children 173,324 Senior citizens 47,579 people with disabilities 16,777 Job security allowance 594,000 Insurance subscribers 36,632 Family income support
Times of Oman
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
HM issues Royal Decree on insurance of expat workers for work injuries
Muscat: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik today issued Royal Decree No. 60/2025 on amending some provisions of Royal Decree No. 52/2023 on the promulgation of the Social Protection Law. It reads as follows: Article (1) says that the provisions of Clauses (2), (3), and (5) of Article Six of Royal Decree No. 52/2023 shall be replaced with the following texts: 2- The provisions of the branch on insurance for work injuries and occupational diseases for non-Omani workers under the attached law shall come into force after (5) years from the date of issuance of this decree. 3- Chapter Six of Part Three of the attached law shall come into force after (3) years from the date of issuance of this decree. 5- Clause (1) of Article (139) of the attached law shall come into force on the date determined by the Board of Directors of the Social Protection Fund, provided it does not exceed (4) years from the date of issuance of this decree. Article (2) cancels all that contradicts this decree or contravenes their provisions.
