Sultanate of Oman signs Decent Work Country Programme, the second Gulf country after the Kingdom of Bahrain

GENEVA (ILO News) – The Decent Work Country Programme for the Sultanate of Oman was launched today at the 99th session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva.

Nada Al-Nashif, ILO Regional Director for the Arab States, and the social partners represented by H.E. Mr. Abdullah bin Nasser bin Abdullah Al-Bakri, Minister of Manpower in Oman, and Mr. Khalil Khonji, President of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Mr. Sayyid Saud Ben Ali Al-Jabri, President of the General Federation of Oman Trade Unions signed the Decent Work Country Programme.

The Sultanate of Oman becomes the second Gulf State to sign its DWCP after Bahrain’s signature of its programme in March 2010. The signature emphasizes the importance of the principle of tripartism and social dialogue in the socio-economic development process through the implementation of the Decent Work Country Programme. It should be noted that the Sultanate of Oman has ratified four of the ILO’s eight core conventions since its accession to the Organization in 1994.

The programme will be implemented during the period 2010-2013 and relies on a set of priorities agreed upon between the ILO, the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and the social partners to enhance decent and productive job opportunities for women and men in conditions of freedom, justice and dignity. The DWCP is also in line with the Seventh 5-year development plan (2006-2010) of the Government which was designed to encourage economic growth, create job opportunities, extend investment scope and, accelerate gradual privatization of several State-Owned Enterprises.

While the first priority focuses on enhancing the integration of the national labour force in the economy, the second priority seeks to ensure the effectiveness of social dialogue in compliance with ILS supported by the third priority which enhances social protection and commitment in applying international labour standards.

The Decent Work Programme is the culmination of several years of continuous and joint collaboration and strong and constructive dialogue between the ILO, the Government, and the Employers and Workers organizations since 1996, preceded by the First Conference of members of Trade Unions held in February 2010 with the support of the government and employers. The Conference announced the new General Federation of Oman Trade Unions, confirming the commitment of the three constituents and their partnership in securing decent work for all.