Push for more part-time employees in private firms to increase Omanisation

Muscat: Private sector companies have been urged by the government to make more use of part-time employees.
The proposal was made by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of manpower which is aimed to absorb Omani job seekers.
This came during a workshop discussing an initiative to facilitate procedures for part-time and temporary employment, with hopes to include retirees and jobseekers, as well as housewives as possible part-time workers.
Ahmed Abdullah Al Khonji, the head of the initiative, said: “The most important benefits for the workers will include: gaining experience, gaining monetary compensation, becoming more skilled, finding suitable work hours, and finding a permanent job.
“Working as a part-time employee will not change the worker’s designation as a jobseeker,” he added.
The initiative by the government and private sector aims to provide economic and experience-based benefits to jobseekers, retirees, and students, all while allowing the companies to get more Omani workers, who are to be paid a minimum of OMR3 per hour and can work a maximum of 25 hours a week, according to current regulations.
Al Khonji added, “The initiative to facilitate part-time work was launched in order to improve the current part-time worker system and make sure the workforce is ready for the job market. Higher education students will be able to gain practical knowledge while still studying, and it will allow the market to deal with economic needs in the short and long terms, and jobseekers will be able to gain temporary monetary benefits while looking for a job.”
A spokesman from the Ministry of Manpower told Times of Oman, “We are working on this initiative as well and cooperating for its success.”
In 2017, the Ministry of Manpower published executive decision 40/2017 which allows part-time work. The decision reads, “Work hours may not go below four hours a week and must not exceed 25 hours per week. Hourly pay cannot exceed OMR3 per hour, those between 15-18 years old may work between 6-AM and 6 PM, and part-time workers can count towards a maximum of 20% of the company’s omanisation rate.”
A spokesman from the Omani Chamber for Commerce and Industry told Times of Oman, “One of the biggest benefits for jobseekers is that they can benefit from the part-time employment opportunity while not losing their status as a jobseeker illegible for an offering via the authorities.”
A statement by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry read: “The chamber has cooperated with the Ministry of Manpower and Tanfeedh to present a workshop for ‘facilitating the procedure for part time and temporary employment.
“The session comes as part of the ongoing partnership between the government and the private sector in all topics related to sustainable development,” the statement added.