MUSCAT: The set of incentives announced by the Ministry of Labour for private sector institutions and companies, has been extended until March 31.

Companies and institutions affected by the pandemic are allowed to negotiate a reduction in the wages of their employees for a period of three months in exchange for a reduction in working hours after exhausting the employees fully paid holidays, provided this procedure is applied if necessary until March 31, 2021.

The ministry confirmed that the package of incentives includes reducing the fees for the renewal of non-Omani resident cards from OMR 301 to OMR 201.

Among the facilities also are exemptions from fees and fines resulting from licenses to practice work for expats, provided that they leave the Sultanate for good, exemption from fines for the first time, and renewal and transfer of services from the date of the card’s expiration 03/15/2020 to 03/31/2021.

Employers are allowed to renew expired work permits for workers currently outside the Sultanate during the precautionary period and exempt from the resulting fines after coordination with the competent authorities.

Multiple establishments owned by the same partners may delegate their employees to work in any of those establishments if needed.

Private sector establishments may seek the assistance of manpower belonging to other establishments to work in their facilities according to a written agreement between the establishments.

Additionally, private sector institutions and companies affected by COVID-19 are allowed to terminate work contracts of expats with the commitment of these institutions to pay all workers’ dues and ensuring they leave the Sultanate permanently.