Workshop reviews job localisation plans in Opaz-affiliated zones

Business Monday 20/March/2023 17:03 PM
By: Times News Service
Workshop reviews job localisation plans in Opaz-affiliated zones

Muscat: The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (Opaz), in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour (MoL), organised a workshop aimed at reviewing Opaz performance indicators applied in the affiliated zones related to job localisation plans and the creation of quality jobs in various economic sectors.

The workshop discussed Opaz 2023 initiatives to increase the contribution of the companies operating in its zones in opening direct employment opportunities to the local people and localisation pathways of supervisory and specialised jobs.

During the workshop, participants from the Special Economic Zone of Duqm (Sezad), the Free Zones of Salalah, Sohar, Al Mazuna and various industrial cities were trained in optimal practices to analyse occupations and applications for recruitment of foreign workers in line with the Authority's objectives.

Dr Said bin Khalifa Al-Qurini, Director General of the Investment Development Sector said, "The organisation of this workshop is a translation of the Opaz 2023  plan and its strategic objectives and a review of the performance indicators used to measure the achievement of these goals, which include implementing the cooperation programme previously signed with the Ministry of Labour on the matter of facilitating services related to work permits and the creation of quality jobs for companies operating in those zones, and the establishment of training and qualification programmes for the national workforce."

It is noteworthy that during the year 2022, several initiatives were implemented in special economic zones, free zones and various industrial cities, to improve the services provided to investors, including reducing the approval period for work permit applications to 24 hours for applications that meet the requirements, and improving the work environment in companies operating in the affiliated zones. By implementing the standards and requirements that ensure the safety of employees, Opaz stimulates their stay in the companies they work for and provides opportunities for their development to achieve promising career paths.