Muscat: The Royal Oman Police (ROP) has urged companies and individuals not to employ anyone other than employees on their sponsorship, as the act of employing illegal immigrants can constitute an anti-national act and is a misdemeanor punishable by Omani Labor Law No. 53/2023.
In a statement, the ROP said that it is making great efforts to combat illegal immigration into the Sultanate by monitoring the borders and the movement of smugglers, by implementing security campaigns in cooperation with other competent authorities.
“In addition, we are continuously educating society about the danger of this phenomenon and how to deal with it given its direct negative impact on security, the economy and public health,” said Ali bin Salem al Sawai, Director of the Office of the Joint Inspection Team at the Ministry of Labour.
He further reiterated that employing a non-Omani worker who is not licensed to work in the Sultanate of Oman is a crime, and exposes the perpetrator to a fine of up to RO 2,000 and a prison term of between 10 and 30 days.
“Also, employing infiltrated workers fleeing from the employer is punishable under Article No. 147 of the Omani Labour Law, and the perpetrator is subject to a prison sentence of 10 to 30 days and a fine of 1,000 to 2,000 Omani riyals,” he added.
Dr Khalifa bin Saif al Hinai, a lawyer, judge and former president of the court, opines that some people who are present in the country illegally may have committed crimes in other countries and are fleeing justice.
“Helping these people to work may result in those who seek their help falling under suspicion, especially in serious cases such as arms and drug trafficking and organised crime of all kinds,” added Dr Al Hinai.
He further urges that a percentage of hackers have criminal motives, and some of them may have criminal records, which puts those who seek help or who cooperate with them at risk, whether themselves or their families, especially children.
Enabling infiltrators to work illegally has great harm on the economic front as well, as by those who employ them seeking a cheap service, it contributes to harming the economic situation of the country, and this is considered an act contrary to the requirements of preserving the country’s security and economic interests.
“It should be noted that whoever facilitates the hackers' affairs is an accomplice to the crime and is subject to prosecution,” he said.
The ROP further adds that it is making great efforts to combat this dangerous phenomenon of employing illegal immigrants, and this herculean task requires the cooperation of the society, citizens and expatriates so that everyone can enjoy the umbrella of protection from the effects of this menace.
“Employing illegal workers constitutes a breach in the security of the society and its social fabric, where the homogeneous social milieu is disturbed and contributes to the crime rate as well as affects the national developmental march. Talking about different nationalities infiltrating Omani society means a real threat to all forms of social activity among members of the society and represents irresponsible competition for legal, licensed economic activities in the labor market.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
