MUSCAT: Omani employees working without officially registered contracts risk gaps in the documentation of their wages, service periods and social protection entitlements, an investigation published by the General Federation of Oman Workers (GFOW) has warned.

The report, titled “Workers Present in the Field, but Absent from Official Records”, examines the legal, insurance and economic implications of employees working for years without their contracts being registered.

Prepared by Fatima Al Mahrouqi, a media specialist at GFOW, it highlights the role of written, registered contracts in protecting employers and employees by clearly setting out their rights and obligations.

Dr Asaad Al Hadhrami, a lawyer and legal consultant, said the registration requirement applied to all types of employment contracts, with no exceptions.

Azza bint Abdullah Al Sawafiya, a legal researcher at the Ministry of Labour’s Legal Department, said some workers viewed contracts merely as documents to sign, without fully understanding the rights and obligations they established.

The investigation also highlighted the importance of registration in maintaining accurate social protection records.

Khawla bint Salem Al Wahibiyah, head of the Beneficiaries Department at the Social Protection Fund, said employment contracts helped establish an insured worker’s status, document wages and service periods, and ensure contributions and entitlements were calculated accurately.

The consequences could extend beyond individual workers, according to economist Dr Haider bin Abdul Redha Al Lawati, who warned that unregistered contracts could make affected jobs less attractive to Omanis.

He said the practice could develop from a procedural or legal violation into a structural problem affecting labour market efficiency, the accuracy of economic data, productivity, public revenues and the sustainability of Omanisation policies.

However, registration delays did not always indicate an employer’s unwillingness to complete the process, said Eman bint Ali Al Alawiyah, owner of Samaa Al-Fikr Company.

She said applications could receive comments or requests for amendments some time after submission, delaying registration.

Al Alawiyah urged workers to read their contracts and attachments carefully, understand the provisions before signing, and retain copies of all documents and correspondence relating to their employment.

Employers should also explain internal procedures clearly and formally document any changes to employment terms, benefits or duties, she said, while giving workers an opportunity to ask questions and understand how the changes would affect them.