Oman to use 5% of expat visa fee to support job fund

Muscat: Five per cent of the money earned by expatriates’ work permit renewal will go towards funding the Job Security System (JSS).

To provide this fee, the cost of renewing expat permits will be raised accordingly, an official of the Ministry of Labour told the Times of Oman.

“The amount of five per cent will be added to employment visa fees issued and renewed for the non-Omani workforce,” he said.

“This excludes special permits, or private permits, issued to employees working in households, such as drivers or housemaids, as well as those working on farms. For example, if the cost of the permit is right now OMR300, then from early next year, it will cost OMR315.”

According to the regulations of the Job Security System, any employer wishing to terminate an Omani from his service must inform the Ministry of Labour at least three months prior to the date of his dismissal.

The JSS aims to provide temporary financial benefits to Omani citizens terminated from work for reasons outside their control. Temporary financial provisions from this fund for job seekers are also expected at a later date.

“The advantages of the system include help in searching for job opportunities, and determining the training needs and providing them to those who need it,” said the Government Communications Centre.

To be entitled to benefits from the JSS, the terminated individual must not be currently receiving a pension or social insurance, and must not have left his/her job voluntarily.

This includes voluntary resignation, the expiry of an employment contract, and agreeing with the employer to have his/her services terminated.

“The employee must not have been dismissed for disciplinary reasons,” added the communications centre.

“They must also be able to work, and must actively search for employment. He/she must also not be enrolled in an educational institution that provides daytime learning.”

Terminated employees must apply for JSS benefits within 90 days of their dismissal. Employees, whether dismissed individually or collectively, are entitled to apply for benefits.

Those receiving benefits must also not receive any other benefits specified by the committee overseeing the application for benefits.

An exemption to this is the permanent pension given to those who are disabled.

Terminated employees must apply for JSS benefits within 90 days of their dismissal. Employees, whether dismissed individually or collectively, are entitled to apply for benefits.