MUSCAT: Private sector companies hit by the coronavirus pandemic can continue to lay-off expatriate workers until March 31, 2021, Ministry of Labour said.
The decision comes after the Ministry extended a slew of measures including incentive packages for companies impacted by COVID-19 economic crisis. “They (companies) can terminate the services of the expat workers provided all past dues are paid to them and in condition they leave the country,” the statement from the Ministry said.
Speaking to The Arabian Stories, a top HR expert said the extension of incentive packages will be a relief for many small-scale companies affected by the pandemic. “Hundreds of small-scale companies in Oman are yet to return to normal and the Covid-19 crisis are still biting them. The decision by the government to extend the packages is a big relief for such companies,” he said.
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Many companies in the country have significantly reduced expat workforce over the last many months. According to the figures released by National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), more than a quarter of a million expatriate workers have left Oman during the first 11 months of 2020.
“It will take many months for these companies to normalise their operations so the decision is indeed welcoming,” he added.
The Ministry has also reduced the renewal fees for expatriate labour cards from OMR301 to OMR201. “It is permissible to renew the expired cards of establishments and firms which have Omani employees,” the statement from Ministry said.
As part of reducing the crisis, Ministry also said companies can also “negotiate and reduce” salaries of employees for the next three months.
“In return for cutting down the number of working hours (after the expiration of an employee’s stock of paid holidays). This procedure shall take effect, if necessary, till 31 March 2021,” Ministry of Labour said.
Ministry has also allowed private firms to renew the expired cards of expat employees who were outside the Sultanate during the lockdown period. “Resulting fines will also be cancelled,” Ministry added.
