Illegal car washers targeted in clampdown, 72 arrested

Muscat: The Ministry of Manpower has asked employers and the public to be more vigilant after 72 people were arrested for working illegally as car washers in Muscat.
In a statement, the Ministry of Manpower said, “The Directorate General of Labour Welfare carried out a number of inspection campaigns from January 1 to March 30 and arrested 72 illegal workers who were cleaning cars in public places in various parts of Muscat.”
The ministry added, “28 of those caught were runaway workers, 44 were laid-off workers and seven were those who had expired labour cards.” Muscat Governorate recorded the highest number of arrests with 19 illegal workers followed by North Sharqiyah Governorate with 17.
Action is being taken against the arrested men by the relevant authorities.
Salim bin Saeed Al, Director General of Labour Welfare at the Ministry of Manpower said that these campaigns were the result of the Ministry’s monitoring of the implementation of the Labour Law and to ensure that the authorised foreign labour force worked with employers according to official work permits.
He explained: “The Ministry of Manpower appeals to employers and workers to abide by the provisions of the Labour Law and the ministerial decrees implemented for the private sector in terms of the necessity of hiring expat work forces in the licensed professions and within the scope of
their work.”
Al Badi also asked both Omani citizens and residents to report to the authorities any cases of the expatriate work force operating illegally in order to keep the Sultanate secure.