Sunday 11 / May / 2025
Muscat: Expats are once again in demand here – but only if they know the territory, according to recruiters.
The cost of bringing in foreign workers has deterred many company bosses from taking a gamble that could cost them thousands of rials if the employee changes his mind about staying.
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Recruitment firms have told Times of Oman that 40 per cent of the jobs currently on the market are for expats who have GCC experience, as firms feel they know the market and are a safer bet.
Oman’s on-going Omanisation process means many expats are departing Oman for good – but many of those take their Gulf expertise to other GCC countries like the United Arab Emirates. Development projects around the Sultanate have created vacancies for expats who are skilled in GCC markets, countering the popular belief that expats are no longer required in the country and are being replaced by nationals.
“Employers in Oman prefer expats with local or regional experience. They simply cannot wait for a new recruit to become familiar with the market. They expect immediate results,” Farhat Shaikh, Manager at Elite HR services and solutions said.
“The business culture around the GCC is very similar. Employers will appreciate your knowledge of the norms and local laws. Sometimes, an expat with no regional experience needs several months just to get a driving licence.”
Many expats are also wary of entering Oman because of the No Objection Certificate - which means if they leave employment and cannot obtain an NOC from the employer - they would not be allowed back for two years.
Those in the GCC familiar with the ruling are preferred by employers, as they know the rules before boarding the flight to their new job. The NOC rule also hinders companies from hiring many expats in-country.
“Generally, if they have some GCC experience they’ll add more value. If they don’t mind working in Oman, that’s because they know the society and culture.
“A few years ago when Dubai had their economic crises, a lot of expats and Europeans moved to Oman for work. They preferred to stay in the area even if that meant moving countries for less salary,” Mohsin Al Raisi, an Omani businessman, said.
Oman has been rapidly expanding in different sectors to diversify away from oil revenues. Billions of dollars of investment have been pumped into areas like Duqm and Sohar – and expats with expertise are spearheading that diversification until Omanis can be trained and come into the marketplace.
“Nearly 40 per cent of vacancies that we have are for expats and all of these vacancies specify that candidates with GCC experience are preferred. Only when no competent candidate with GCC experience is there will an inexperienced one be taken into consideration,” Bashair Al Shabibi, Team Leader, Recruitment at MENA HR solutions said.
Al Shabibi said that new projects are the major reason for this countrywide recruitment drive.
Candidates who speak Arabic and English, as well as those with both local and international experience in their respective industries, are always highest in demand, recruiters agree.
“There is an obvious demand for GCC experience and competency. We recently had an employee hired from South Asia and he left us within a month because he couldn’t get used to the work environment in Oman. “No company wants this. It’s a complete loss of time and money. Therefore it is important to have people who have stayed in GCC or worked here so that they are well acquainted with how things work,” Yasser Ahmed, CEO at a reputed firm, said.
Ahmed Balushi, a businessman, believes that it all depends on the person and the profession.
“Some expats are well qualified in their countries while others are more comfortable and known in the GCC. It really all depends on who that person is and what profession they’re going to be employed in. “Sometimes hiring someone from the GCC is more expensive than if you bring someone straight from their country. But if you do hire someone with knowledge of the laws, traditions and the local industry, it is easier for them to become active more quickly. Also, when you bring someone from their home country and train them, they could end up leaving you, so all your investment is gone,” he said.
