Babies at work: Should there be workplace nurseries in Oman?
Published: 04:07 PM,Jul 24,2023 | EDITED : 11:07 AM,Jul 25,2023
With the rising cost of bringing in nannies and house helps to cater to children at home when parents are at work, employees in Oman are waiting for the day when workplace nurseries become a reality. However, the question that remains unanswered is how prepared are organisations to accommodate employees with babies and infants that need parental care and attention and how effective will the contribution of such employees be at work. “Affording the maid to take care of the house and children is so expensive these days. Therefore, allowing parents to take their babies to workplaces is a great idea. Authorities need to fast-track the thought of providing on-site nurseries for our children. If it so happens, it would be a win-win situation for both parents and employers,” Afraah Nizar, a mother of three young children, said.
Last year, Dr Laila bint Ahmed al Najar, Minister of Social Development, said nurseries at workplaces are an excellent idea, and the ministry encourages and supports it. “There is a study on the possibility of creating a legal framework in this regard,” she had said in Oman TV’s weekly talk show ‘With the Youth’ programme.
Some employees said they are ready to pay for the babysitter as long as it is a small amount. “I do not mind paying a small fee for the babysitter because I know my baby will be in good hands. Moreover, I will get a few minutes to check on them. Also, my kids being with other kids makes good sense as they get time to interact,” Zakiya al Hussaini, a mother of two, said.
According to the Minister of Social Development, a decision will be taken if there is no objection to implementing such a step in government institutions.
“There are set standards and basics for nurseries supervised by the ministry, and also there are guidelines in this regard, in addition to the rules and regulations governing them,” she said.
Many say that times have changed when women used to stay at home to look after children and husbands go to work.
“Both my wife and I go to work. It has become a necessity for women to work now with the rising cost of living to help each other, unlike before, when we could make ends meet with one of us working. I think the idea of work establishments offering baby-sitting activities would be great,” Abdullah al Naamani, a bank employee whose wife also works, said.
Internationally, workplace nurseries are a proven method to enhance employee loyalty and productivity. This is also a result of a breakdown in childcare or absence of being minimalised.
Last year, Dr Laila bint Ahmed al Najar, Minister of Social Development, said nurseries at workplaces are an excellent idea, and the ministry encourages and supports it. “There is a study on the possibility of creating a legal framework in this regard,” she had said in Oman TV’s weekly talk show ‘With the Youth’ programme.
Some employees said they are ready to pay for the babysitter as long as it is a small amount. “I do not mind paying a small fee for the babysitter because I know my baby will be in good hands. Moreover, I will get a few minutes to check on them. Also, my kids being with other kids makes good sense as they get time to interact,” Zakiya al Hussaini, a mother of two, said.
According to the Minister of Social Development, a decision will be taken if there is no objection to implementing such a step in government institutions.
“There are set standards and basics for nurseries supervised by the ministry, and also there are guidelines in this regard, in addition to the rules and regulations governing them,” she said.
Many say that times have changed when women used to stay at home to look after children and husbands go to work.
“Both my wife and I go to work. It has become a necessity for women to work now with the rising cost of living to help each other, unlike before, when we could make ends meet with one of us working. I think the idea of work establishments offering baby-sitting activities would be great,” Abdullah al Naamani, a bank employee whose wife also works, said.
Internationally, workplace nurseries are a proven method to enhance employee loyalty and productivity. This is also a result of a breakdown in childcare or absence of being minimalised.