Muscat: The Council of Ministers has referred the draft Social Protection Law to the Council of Oman for discussions, which includes new social benefits for the elderly, children, orphans, widows, and lower-income families.
The draft law also includes unified retirement programs for all sectors in the labour market, whether government or private, covering the retirement stage, risks of death, disability, work injuries, occupational diseases, and job security.
Key social protection benefits:
(1) Benefits for the elderly:
It is a monthly cash benefit targeting the elderly, who have fewer potentials and capacity to earn due to aging.
(2) Childhood benefits:
It is a monthly cash benefit for each child. It targets the risks they face during childhood.
(3) Benefits for people with disabilities:
It is a monthly cash benefit targeting people with disabilities, whose condition requires care and support, whether the disability is at birth or acquired later.
(4) Benefit of orphans and widows:
It is a monthly cash benefit for orphans and widows who are not covered by the social insurance systems or receive pensions less than the entitlement specified in this benefit.
(5) Household income support benefit:
It is a monthly benefit to support families with low incomes and fewer earning opportunities, based on the number of members of each family and the total household income.
Social Insurance programs cover:
1. Social insurance for risk-facing elderly, disability, and death (unified pension system)
2. Socia insurance for work injuries and occupational illness.
3. Socia insurance for job security risks.
4. Maternity leave
5. Social insurance for sick and irregular leaves.
6. Saving programs
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