MUSCAT:More than half of Omani job seekers prefer to work in the government sector and that the salaries should be at least OMR 600 per month, according to a job market survey carried out by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

The study, by NCSI, also found that 76 per cent of those with higher education degrees in Oman also prefer public sector jobs. Social status was one of the top deciding factors on whether respondents take up a job, according to the results.

The study was conducted to gather the opinions of young Omanis and to analyze their attitude to work. It targeted higher education students, job-seekers and employees, according to NCSI.

According to the survey, almost every respondent believed that the government has a responsibility to provide jobs, and that salaries should be at least OMR600 a month.

The study showed that 58 per cent of those employed in the government sector believe that their qualifications are suitable for the labour market, compared with 41 per cent of those employed in the private sector.

Job stability is the key

The survey showed that two-thirds of young job-seekers prefer the government sector even with a 25 per cent increase in private sector salaries, while 42 per cent of higher education students are willing to work in the private sector if the salary is 25 per cent higher than the government sector.

Job stability, social status, good salary, incentives and good opportunities for promotion were among the most important considerations for jobseekers.

The study showed that the average acceptable minimum wage for employment in the public sector for job seekers is OMR674 and in the private sector OMR593.

Speaking to The Arabian Stories, an expert in job market said: “Omani youth consider accepting job in the government sector due to the job security offered,” said the expert.