MUSCAT : Oman’s Minister of Labour, Professor Mahad bin Said Al Baawain, has rejected claims circulating on social media questioning the accuracy of official jobseeker figures, saying the data released by the ministry is credible, verified and subject to national oversight.

Speaking during a session of the Majlis Al Shura on Thursday, Al Baawain was responding to a question raised by Hamoud Al Saadi, who cited widespread public debate online over the figure of 73,000 registered jobseekers.

The minister said the numbers announced by the Ministry of Labour are based on audited indicators and verified through multiple government entities. “We speak using figures, documentation and outcomes,” he told the council, adding that the data is logical and supported by official records.

Al Baawain explained that labour market indicators issued by the ministry undergo verification by the National Centre for Statistics and Information before being submitted to the Council of Ministers, with additional checks carried out by other relevant authorities.

Addressing public speculation about the number of inactive jobseekers, the minister said the 73,000 figure reflects individuals officially registered as seeking employment, noting that determining inactivity requires updated personal records.

“We cannot determine how many jobseekers are inactive without first updating their data,” he said, stressing that conclusions should be drawn from verified information rather than unsubstantiated claims on social media.

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency in labour market data and urged the public to rely on official statistics when assessing employment trends in the Sultanate.

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