People poll verdict: No expats as street vendors in Oman

Muscat: The recent government decision to restrict street vendor work to Omani nationals only has been overwhelmingly supported by an online poll, with 78% in favour.

Last week, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry conducted a six-day poll on Twitter, asking for opinions on whether expats should be allowed to work as street vendors in Oman. The poll ended on Monday, with 5,154 votes. 78% of respondents voted against expat street vendors, with only 22% in favour.

In a statement on the results, the Ministry said, “This confirms that there is no place for expatriates to become street vendors.”

According to the Ministry, after they heard different opinions from citizens regarding hiring expats in this employment, the poll was conducted to identify and measure public opinion.

The Ministry had recently issued a statement confirming that only Omanis could be street vendors, including on mobile carts that sell juices, ice cream or food items. The policy aims to provide Omani jobseekers with temporary jobs or the opportunity to start larger businesses.

Article 3 of the Regulation of the Work of the Vendors referred to the conditions of obtaining the necessary permits, the most important of which is that the applicant for the license is an Omani national. Article 7 also confirmed that no foreign labour shall be employed.