Sunday 29 / December / 2024
Muscat: Steps are being taken by the Ministry of Labour to implement directives to remove obstacles in the execution of development plans in Oman.
Among the measures being taken are creating a good culture of work, organising and developing the labour market, improving living conditions for workers, intensifying awareness campaigns and tackling the challenges faced by companies and workers in Oman.
As part of these directives – which involves officials visiting various governorates so that obstacles can be removed easier – Nasser bin Amer Al Hosni, the Undersecretary of Labour at the Ministry of Labour, recently visited factories in Sohar in North Al Batinah.
The visit by Al Hosni was part of efforts by the ministry to assess the progress of work in areas where labour is concentrated and to understand the experiences of workers, the challenges facing the national workforce and the hurdles facing sectors considered vital to the country.
“The ministry supports all ideas to promote industrial sector, and ensure that the national workforce operates in an environment that is safe, sustainable and supportive of them,” he said, during his visit.
The undersecretary added that as part of the support provided to the labour sector by the government is a scheme that ensures companies consider the wages of employees, especially those who have been terminated.
“There is a need to establish awareness campaigns to create a culture of work, as well as show the reality and nature of modern workplace roles,” he added. “These campaigns have been launched so that they reach all members of the community in the governorate.
“The initiative of wage support for new operators in the private sector aims to provide stability to our nationals, and is part of measures to create permanent stability in society, particularly youth,” he said. “This initiative was launched to support our national workforce.”
During his visit, Nasser Al Hosni met with officials at the General Directorate of Labour in North Al Batinah, where he met the Assistant Director-General, who briefed him on the work of the directorate and the challenges it faces.
He also shared proposals considered key to making the work of the directorate smoother and providing more flexibility in the light of the government’s efforts towards decentralisation.
With Sohar a centre of industry in Oman and a vital cog in the national economy, improved regulation of the labour market would make it an even more important contributor.
With this in mind, the Undersecretary set his sights on decision making that would reduce the time taken for the wheels of development to turn, and help the nation achieve its goals of developing better industries.
The Social Dialogue Committee – which is made up of representatives from three organisations: The government, the General Federation of Oman Workers and the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry – has a prominent role in removing hurdles in the labour market.
These organisations meet to set out the objectives for the labour market, develop and improve work conditions for employees and set economic and social goals that contribute towards maintaining stability of workers and workplaces.
During his visit to Sohar, Undersecretary Al Hosni visited the LT Complex for Industrial Installations, SV Pittie Sohar Textiles (FZC) LLC and Sohar Aluminium. At the LT Complex, while being briefed on factory and worker conditions, he stressed the need for success and improvement in industry.
Of particular importance at SV Pittie was the efforts taken to empower Omani women to play a role in the country’s future. Al Hosni concluded his visit at the office of the Labour Union of the Industrial Sector.
