MUSCAT: Omanisation, delay in salary payments and cut in benefits are turning Oman a less preferred destination for migrant workers, say residents in Oman.

“It has become quite hard to survive in Oman. Company has not paid four months’ salary. Additionally, prices of items are also going up. So, when somebody queries about job opportunities in Oman, I say no, this is not the right time. Wait till the situation better,” an Indian worker in a publishing company told The Arabian Stories.

According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) there is a decrease of 3.7 per cent in the number of migrant workers in January 2019 when compared to the same period of previous year.

There are 1,782,248 migrants working in Oman in January 2019. And the number was 1,787,447 in December 2018.

“In many companies, salaries are delayed. Additionally, health card benefits are cut. Even when we resign, end of service benefits are held back,” a Pakistani worker in a retail company, said.

The NCSI data reveals there is dip of 4.1 per cent in the number of Indians in January when compared to the December numbers.

In the case of Bangladeshis the dip is 4.8 per cent and for Pakistanis it is 7.3 per cent.

However, there is an increase in number of Filipinos, Egyptians and Ugandans coming to Oman.

A new survey released this week reveals that one in five expats living in the Arab Gulf do not save any of their monthly salary and nearly half save less than five percent.

The survey, carried out by consultancy firm Insight Discovery, found that 22 percent of expatriate residents surveyed said they save nothing every month. Another 27 percent save less than five percent of their monthly salary and 13 percent said they only put aside between six percent and 20 percent.

At the wealthier end of the spectrum, a fifth of expats save between 21 and 30 percent every month, while only 16 percent save more than this.

“This year, our story is one of significant adjustment in the economies of the GCC region. At a time of softness in oil prices and geo-political uncertainty, businesses have cut costs by employing fewer and cheaper expats, many of whom cannot afford to save much,” the report said.

The results are despite the fact that the results of the latest HSBC Expat Explorer survey, released in January, found that nearly three-quarters of expats working in the United Arab Emirates earn more than they could in their home country.

“Better earning potential is the cornerstone of why people seek career opportunities here. It is indicative of the success of UAE’s focus on diversification, which has resulted in the creation of an internationally recognised and sought-after working environment, ” Marwan Hadi, head of retail banking and wealth management, UAE, HSBC, was quoted as saying.

While expats earn higher salaries that they would achieve at home, a poor savings record has been a common them in the region. “Living and working in the UAE allows people to live a certain lifestyle and unfortunately savings can often be forgotten about,” said Gemma Frankland, head of global partners at Guardian Wealth Management said in August last year.

“Although there can be a lot of demands on your salary, from school fees, car payments, it is important to plan for the future.

“If you are here on a fixed-term contract, or only plan on staying for a few years before returning home, possibly to a lower salary, it is important to use your time in the UAE to save as much as you can for the future by putting money into a suitable savings plan.”

She said it is often only after a major change in circumstances, such as the loss of a job or making the decision to relocate, that expats realise the impact years of bad financial planning can have on the rest of their life.

“The earlier people start saving the better. For your long-term goals such as retirement, you should try to put away 20-30 per cent of your monthly salary,” said Frankland.