Shura Council discusses ways to protect Omanis in private sector

Muscat: Majlis Al Shura has discussed the issue of Omani workers in the private sector, following an increase in the number of citizens being laid off recently.
The meeting was held in collaboration with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), as well as representatives of the private sector.
A statement from the Shura Council said, “In the context of its study titled ‘The phenomenon of layoffs of the national workforce in the private sector (challenges and solutions)’, the Youth and Human Resources Committee hosted a number of specialists at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry.”
National workforce
During the meeting, topics that were discussed included the OCCI’s role in following up the laying off of the national workforce, and solutions that would help reduce these actions from occurring. In addition, the Shura Council also sought the views of both the OCCI and the private sector on why there had been an increase in the number of workers laid off from the private sector.
“The meeting touched on a number of proposals and solutions, including the encouragement and support of small and medium enterprises as they provide job opportunities for university graduates through reduced taxes and fees imposed on them,” explained the Shura Council statement.
“The possibility of establishing a fund was discussed to provide salaries for a specific period of time, to those who’ve lost their jobs, and the necessity of making some amendments to the labour law in a way that achieves balance and justice between the two parties,” the Shura Council added.
The OCCI and the private sector also shared their opinions on the current legislation governing layoff issues, as well as the labour laws that covered this and the solutions proposed to reduce this phenomenon.
In addition, the initiatives presented by the OCCI to contribute towards solving the problem of worker layoffs in the private sector were also reviewed.