Sunday 04 / January / 2026
A key mechanism within Oman's Labour Law, promulgated by Royal Decree 53/2023, for ensuring fair and safe workplaces is the system of workplace inspection. This framework grants specific powers to ministry employees and imposes clear cooperation duties on employers.
Speaking to the Times of Oman, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Zadjali, Founding Partner of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm, explained that “Authorized inspectors, are vested with judicial enforcement status for the purpose of applying the law. Before starting their duties, they must take an oath before the Minister to perform their work honestly and maintain the confidentiality of all information they encounter. Their primary power is the right to enter any workplace during working hours to examine books, records, and documents to verify compliance with the law and its implementing decisions.”
He added that, “The law makes it the employer’s duty to cooperate. Further, the law mandates that employers and their representatives must provide these inspectors with all necessary facilities and furnish complete and correct data or information related to the law's application. Crucially, the law explicitly prohibits anyone from willfully obstructing or hindering an inspector in performing their duties.”
“The enforcement framework is reinforced by provisions that authorize the Minister to issue decisions specifying procedures for dealing with violators. The law further permits coordination with other competent authorities, in accordance with prescribed procedures, to address registered violations where legally applicable,” Dr. Mohammed explained.
He concluded by stating that “the inspection system acts as the vital enforcement arm of the Labour Law. By granting inspectors access and authority, requiring full employer cooperation and establishing consequences for non-compliance, these provisions ensure that Oman’s Labour Law is enforced in practice, not just in principle, strengthening workplace standards and accountability across the labour market.”
(Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm ([email protected]), (+968 244 87 600) was established on 14th December 2006 and is serving clients through its offices in Muscat and Sohar, as well as operating on a request basis in other areas. It offers legal representation across a wide range of practice areas that include Labour Law, Corporate, Commercial, Contracts, Banking and Finance, International Trade, Foreign Investment, Insurance, Maritime Law, Construction and Engineering Contracts, International Arbitration, Intellectual Property and more).
