More citizens find jobs; Retirees join pvt sector

Nearly 28,000 Omanis moved from a job in 2021, while another 40,000 found employment for the first time in 2021.

Replying to questions during an interaction on Thursday, Dr Mahad bin Said bin Ali Baowain, the Minister of Labour, said that there were 65,000 job-seekers at the start of 2021, which went up to 90,000 as over 30,000 fresh graduates entered the market, looking for jobs.

On the recent circular that allowed the private sector to employ expatriates aged 60 and above, the minister said that if a company has achieved the Omanisation rate and if there is not enough demand from citizens, it can get the work permit of those employees renewed. He said the private sector has accommodated several employees who retired from the government sector last year.

Sources in the Ministry of Labour told the Observer that the private sector would not be stopped from having the right candidate (even if he is an expatriate) provided they stick to their commitments to the national mission of creating jobs and opportunities for citizens.

It may be noted that the government has taken several steps to employ citizens by reserving jobs such as managerial posts at petrol stations, in opticial stores, drivers of vehicles transporting fuel, agricultural materials, and foodstuff, administrative and financial roles in insurance companies, sales, accounting, management and finance jobs in commercial complexes, and auditor positions in car agencies and companies that sell automobile spare parts.

The government decided to open some professions in supermarkets and hypermarkets for citizens, which has been well received.

“Omanis have adjusted well to some professions in supermarkets, especially at cash counters and in money exchanges. This shows that youngsters are ready to work if given opportunities as per their abilities and skills’’, said Khalid, employed as a supervisor with a popular hypermarket group.

The Ministry of Labour has been signing agreements with the private sector to train job-seekers to meet the requirements of their professions. “The authorities should not just focus on numbers, which is important but should also ensure that the efficiency and productivity of various sectors are maintained at all times’’, said a senior manager of a head hunting firm.