MUSCAT: Majlis Ash'shura held its third regular session of the second annual term (2024-2025) of the tenth term (2023-2027), hosting Dr Mahad bin Said Baowain, Minister of Labour, to deliberate on temporary employment initiatives.
The discussions aimed to tackle ongoing challenges and enhance temporary employment opportunities in both public and private sectors, reflecting the government's commitment to workforce development.
In his opening remarks, Khalid bin Hilal al Maawali, Chairman of Majlis Ash’shura, underlined that the session aligns with Oman’s national objectives, aiming to harmonise efforts to serve the broader public interest. The dialogue focused on five key areas, including the current and future landscape of temporary employment contracts, the hurdles in their implementation, and strategies to enhance these initiatives for the benefit of job-seekers and employers alike.
He outlined the mechanisms for classifying job opportunities under temporary contracts and highlighted various initiatives designed to empower Omani youth. Among the prominent programmes discussed were:
The 2000 Initiative: Aimed at offering permanent roles in government institutions, benefiting 31 government entities and 2,000 job-seekers.
Million Hours Initiative: Designed to provide one million part-time work hours in government units with job vacancies on an hourly basis, benefiting 1,222 job-seekers across 22 entities.
Sahem Initiative: A two-year contract programme targeting 5,000 job-seekers, focusing on equipping participants with market-relevant skills and experience through on-the-job training in 42 government agencies.
The session also delved into the integration of technology and artificial intelligence within the labour market, the economic fluctuations affecting job availability, and the legal framework for temporary employment contracts.
A crucial role was played by the Youth and Human Resources Committee, which had conducted a series of meetings with experts and specialists to assess the implementation of these initiatives. The committee presented detailed reports and recommendations aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of temporary contracts and ensuring fair practices for employees. Their findings also pointed to the need for increased job stability and fairer employment terms for temporary workers.
Key topics addressed during the session included a proposal by Majlis Ash’shura member Younis al Mandhari to extend the job security allowance for beneficiaries under Article 119 of the Social Protection Law.
Al Mandhari advocated for extending the allowance for a full year for those who have completed six months of eligibility, with a gradual reduction until reaching the minimum allowance of RO 115. He also emphasised the importance of sustaining these initiatives to prevent social challenges and further unemployment.
Discussions further highlighted the disparities in benefits between temporary and permanent employees.
Badr al Jabri, a member of the Youth and Human Resources Committee, pointed out to the difficulties faced by temporary contract workers, who often lack the rights and privileges of permanent employees. This led to calls for radical reforms to improve working conditions and ensure equitable treatment.
In response, the Minister of Labour reiterated the objectives of the temporary employment initiatives, stressing that they aim to build skills, gain experience, and increase workforce competitiveness.
He also assured that the ministry continues to evaluate these programmes, address challenges and refine their framework. He also noted that temporary contracts under initiatives like Sahem could be converted into permanent contracts, with 97.1 per cent of Sahem beneficiaries continuing their employment under renewed contracts for an additional two years.
This comprehensive discussion underscores Oman’s dedication to addressing unemployment and adapting to the evolving needs of the labour market. By fostering collaboration between government entities and leveraging innovative employment strategies, the Sultanate of Oman aims to create a more resilient and inclusive workforce for the future.
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