The Sultanate of Oman is a relatively new member state, joining ILO in 1994. A traditional monarchy located in the south eastern Arabian Peninsula, Oman is a small oil producer. A nation of 2.5 million people with an annual population growth of over 3.7 percent. Omani nationals enjoy free medical care and education through post-secondary school, vocational or higher education. Most Omanis are employed in the public sector.

National development efforts focus on economic development through the initiative of the private sector to diversify its national economy. In connection with the private sector development, the Government recognized the importance of human resources development and its vital role for economic development. With an estimated 30,000 youth entering the labour market each year, job creation and promotion of employment of national workforce are accorded highest priority.

There is no national legislature. However, a consultative assembly called "Majlis al-Shura" was strengthened with election of its 82 members by limited suffrage in October 1997. Furthermore, the State Council was established in 1997 and its members are appointed by the Sultan.

The Ministry of Social Affairs, Labour and Vocational Training (MOSALVT) has a critical role in human resources development in the country and also attaching great importance to socio-economic reintegration of disabled persons and promotion of employment and income generation activities of women. ILO will shortly launch a project on community-based rehabilitation to strengthen the Ministry’s capacities on the subject. In recent years, ILO provided technical advisory services on labour market information system, promotion of employment of women and international labour standards. The officials from the Ministry also participated in the training programmes on international labour standards and the Declaration, which were organized at the sub-regional level for GCC states. The Minister is H.E. Mr. Amer Bin Shwain Al-Hosni.

Employers’ organizations are represented by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI). In view of the national development efforts emphasizing development of the private sector, employers organizations have keen interest in building capacities to better respond to their members’ needs. ILO assistance included technical advisory services on developing the Chamber’s training programme and management training.

No workers’ organizations exist in Oman.

Oman is benefiting from a study for comparative analysis of national legislations and practices in light of ILO core Conventions currently being undertaken in GCC States.

Fellowships were provided for participation in the four Turin Centre training courses including: promotion of the ILO Declaration (Turin, April 2000); women workers’ rights (Turin, November 2000); and training of trainers on international labour standards and the Declaration reporting (Bahrain, April 2001); and international labour standards (Turin/Geneva, May 2001).

ILO/AGFUND project "Establishment of a National Community-based Vocational Rehabilitation Programme": the project is designed to enhance capacity of the Government on community-based rehabilitation programmes to promote socio-economic reintegration of disabled persons. The activity is scheduled to be launched later 2001 (ILO contribution: $10,000; AGFUND: $40,000);

Technical advisory mission was fielded on integration of gender issues in national policies and plans (March 2000);

Technical contribution was provided to a national seminar on private training institutions between reality and ambition, organised by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Labour and Vocational Training (October 2000);

Oman is one of the GCC states benefiting from the assistance for establishing a unified labour market information system in GCC, which has been carried out by ILO and the Executive Bureau of the Council of the Ministers of Labour in GCC (2000-2001);

Oman participated in the two workshops on vocational training held at the sub-regional level: "Sub-regional Workshop on Practical Mechanisms to Link Training and Employment" (Kuwait, February 2001); and "Sub-regional Workshop on Alternative Approaches to Finance Skill Development Programmes in the Arab States" (Jordan, May 2001);

Oman participated in the "Arab Inter-regional Meeting on the Promotion of Tripartism and Social dialogue" (Beirut, October 2000).

Oman has ratified a total of two ILO Conventions, both core Conventions as follows:

• Convention No. 29: Forced Labour, 1930
• Convention No. 182 : Worst Forms of Child Labour, 1999

Ratification of Convention No. 182, in June 2001, was a recent positive development. In view of the fact that Oman joined ILO relatively recently, particular efforts are being made to promote understanding on international labour standards and the Declaration in the country.

 Updated by CHW. Approved by RD. Last update: 3 August 2001.