Jobs and expats working in Oman

Expats planning on working in Oman will find that the country's recent history of dependence on skilled foreign labour has paved the way for a smooth transition into business culture.

Over a quarter of the country's population is comprised of expat workers, and the Omani workforce is not only accustomed to the presence of foreign workers, but sensitive to their needs and supportive of their talents.

On the plus side, since it is illegal to work in Oman on a visitor’s visa, expats must have a firm job offer before even arriving in the country.

Expats will be hired on a fixed-term contract basis, and their Omani hiring company will even appoint a 'sponsor' to help organise an employment visa. Omani employers are accustomed to providing attractive expat salary packages (often including transport, accommodation and schooling stipends).

A new rule by the ROP in last year lays down an additional requirement for expatriates wishing to switch jobs.

You can't change your job in Oman to a different employer unless you get a No Objection Certificate (NOC). The problem is, if your employer gives you a NOC, the Ministry of Manpower will then not allow your current employer to get a new clearance to replace you with another expatriate employee. Basically, find an Omani to do your job, and then your employer might give you a NOC. The only other way to change your job (to a different employer) is to leave Oman for 2 years, and then return.

There are some companies out there that have given NOC's. There are a lot more that wont. I can even think of one particular situation where a company agreed to give someone a NOC, they changed jobs, and then they refused to give that person a NOC, creating all sorts of drama for them.

Other than the No Objection Certificate (NOC), the company releasing the employee will have to send its representative in person to the ROP office to give consent for the worker to join another firm. The new rule came into effect on Sunday.

Previously, an expatriate could change jobs in Oman only if his/her previous employer had no objection. In the absence of an NOC, the rule bars the expat from returning to the sultanate for work for two years.

“Now, the sponsor or company representative (PRO) has to be present at the ROP office to attest and sign that the company being represented has no objection in releasing the employee to another company,” an ROP official told Muscat Daily.

When contacted, a Ministry of Manpower official said the decision was taken by the ROP.

Is this good for the economy of Oman? Your thought