Oman: Health Ministry Issues Circular on Maternity and Paternity Leave

The Arabian Stories, 2 October 2024: The circular directs health institutions, particularly those that provide services to pregnant women and childbirth, to streamline the process for workers across all sectors to obtain proof of their eligibility for maternity and paternity leave.

According to the provisions outlined in the circular, maternity leave allowance, effective from 19 July 2024, is granted for a period of 98 days, which is not limited to a specific number of births.

The law permits that up to 14 days of this leave can be taken before the expected delivery date.
Paternity leave is granted for a period of 7 days, provided that the child is born alive and the leave is taken within 98 days of the child’s birth.

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Oman: MOCIIP Issues Decision on Commercial Loans

Oman Observer, 29 September 2024: The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion has issued a Ministerial Decision setting the return due for obtaining a commercial loan or debt at 6% unless a lower percentage is agreed upon.

The decision was made based on the Commercial Law and a letter from the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in response to public interest requirements.

The decision states that this percentage may be exceeded in exceptional cases, such as long-term loans, loans directed to projects contributing to economic development, or loans associated with a high degree of risk, in coordination with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

However, this return does not apply to loans provided by banks, finance companies, and asset leasing companies licensed by Oman’s Central Bank.

The decision will be published in the Official Gazette and will be effective for one year from the date of its publication.

It comes within the framework of the government’s efforts to ensure the flexibility of finance for businesses while enhancing governance principles and regulating the investment environment in Oman.

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Oman: New Cloud Computing Services Regulatory Bylaw

Oman Daily, 29 September 2024: The bylaw regulating cloud computing services and data centres in Oman sets out the legal framework for licensing and operating such services, including requirements for applicants, fees, and classifications of service providers.

The bylaw mandates that applicants for a cloud computing service licence must be legal entities with commercial registers limited to telecommunications, information technology, or related services.

It outlines a licensing process with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and specifies fees ranging from 100 to 1000 Omani Rials.

The licence duration is three years, renewable unless the licensee requests cancellation.

The bylaw prohibits licensees from altering their legal form without prior approval and classifies service providers into categories such as main providers, aggregators, resellers, and agents.

It also establishes four levels of information security for subscriber content and imposes obligations on service providers regarding data protection, breach notification, and cross-border data transfers.

Administrative sanctions, including warnings, fines, and license cancellation, are prescribed for violations of the bylaw’s provisions.

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Oman: Plans for Zero Emissions in Energy Sector

Oman Daily Observer, 23 September 2024: The Omani Ministry of Energy and Minerals has announced its plans for the energy sector in the Sultanate.

These include the aim to reach zero omissions by 2050. The strategy covers areas including energy efficiency, carbon capture, transport and storage. It is based on five principals. These include the organised transition to decarbonisation, enhancing local capabilities for energy transformation and promoting a low-carbon economy.

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Oman: Passenger Rights Protection Decision Issued

Al-Roya, 8 September 2024: The Official Gazette has published Oman Decision No. 757/2024 issued by the Civil Aviation Authority to issue the Regulation for the Protection of Passenger Rights.

Under this regulation, passengers cannot request compensation if they are informed by the airline about the cancellation of the journey 14 days before the planned departure date.

Additionally, airlines shall be responsible for damages caused by changing the date of the planned journey earlier than planned when international flights are cancelled or destinations are changed within 14 days from the original date, and they must compensate the passenger.

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Oman: Reconciliation in Labour Violations Explained

Atheer, 5 September 2024: The Minister of Labour has issued the Ministerial Resolution “Rules for Reconciliation in Labor Law Crimes” which allows violators to request reconciliation on condition that they pay a quarter of the maximum fine within 15 days from the date on which the approval is given.

The resolution states that the deportation of a non-Omani worker in two cases: if he works in a profession designated for Omanis or entered the country illegally, and the employer bears the costs of deportation.

It also stipulates the necessity of reconciliation within seven days of recording the violation, with the possibility of extending the period once, and the violator is not exempted from correcting the violation within 30 days from the date of reconciliation.

Article 143 of Oman Sultani Decree No. 53/2023 states that if an employer or representative fails to provide necessary facilities, or data, or provides incorrect information, they shall be punished with imprisonment from 10 days to 1 month, or get a fine of 1,000 to 2,000 Omani riyals, or both.

However, reconciliation is possible by paying a quarter of the maximum fine (500 Omani riyals) within 15 days of approval.

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Oman: Decision on List of Activities Prohibited from Foreign Investment Updated

Al-Watan, 2 September 2024: The Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion Ministry has issued a decision to amend certain provisions of Oman Ministerial Decision No. 209/2020 on the specification of activities in which foreign investment is prohibited, limiting them to Omani investors only.

The aim is to stimulate local investment by allowing Omanis to establish projects in these activities and attract qualitative investments that enhance the business environment and competitiveness.

The decision, aligned with the Foreign Capital Investment Law, prioritises empowering small and medium enterprises that contribute to the Omani economy.

It serves as an incentive for Omanis to establish their own projects and create new job opportunities, as Omani investors can invest in all activities where foreign investment is prohibited.

This ensures that projects and activities related to national identity and Omani heritage remain unaffected.

Additionally, this decision regulates the foreign investment process by directing it towards activities that improve targeted sectors to achieve economic diversification.

It ensures that foreign investors benefit the national economy while achieving profitability during their operations.

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Oman: SPF Launches E-Portal for Employers to Verify Expat Worker Data and Update Wages

Times Of Oman, 27 August 2024: The Social Protection Fund (SPF) in the Sultanate of Oman has launched an electronic portal, www.spf.gov.om, to facilitate the provision of services to employers.

Starting from August 26, employers can verify the data of their expatriate workers and update their wages through this e-portal.

This move aligns with the government’s policies to transition to electronic governance and the SPF’s vision to provide transparent and distinguished services.

The SPF will issue monthly contribution invoices based on worker data and wages available on the portal.

The next invoice will be issued on 31 August 2024, with a payment deadline of 15 September 2024.

Employers are advised to familiarise themselves with the SPF e-portal and its functionalities, verify their workers’ data (both Omani and expatriate), update worker wages (if applicable) through the portal or relevant systems for government units, and regularly check the portal for any updates or notifications.

The registration and termination of employment contracts for Omani and expatriate insured persons at the SPF are automatically handled through bilateral linking of various systems.

For workers in government units operating the Mawred/Rio systems or those with a direct connection to the SPF, the process is seamless.

However, for workers in non-governmental sectors, including the private sector, the employer must ensure that the contracts are registered through the Ministry of Labour system.

Employers in non-governmental sectors and government units with a direct connection to the SPF must update the wages of their workers (Omani and expatriate) through the SPF’s electronic portal, ensuring prompt updates whenever there are changes.

For government units linked through the Mawred and Rio systems, wage updates should be made through those systems.

The contribution bill is calculated at the end of each month by the SPF based on the workers’ data and wages available on the Fund’s portal, making it crucial for employers to verify and update this information on a monthly basis.

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Oman: Financial and Administrative Control Authority Issues Warning

Shabiba, 15 August 2024: The State Financial and Administrative Control Authority has warned that there is no website other than their official website which was stated in a statement the Authority issue.

In addition, the Authority has stressed that it has no accounts on the social media platform other than those which are affiliated with the Authority which were also stated in the statement.

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Oman: Contractors Must Comply With Omanisation Targets

Oman Observer, 13 August 2024: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) has notified all contractors and suppliers who deal with it for various tenders regarding purchases and services to submit an electronic certificate issued by the Labour Ministry.

The certificates should prove that they are complying with requirements, including the Omanisation percentages approved by the government, provided that the certificate is valid for one month from the date of its issuance.

The certificate should be submitted when competing for government tenders and when requesting government services.

The ministry has also added that construction and service tenders will be awarded to companies that offer a 100% Omanisation rate in electricity, water, and maintenance services.

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