Part-time work plan for Omanis, expats soon

Muscat: Locals and expats living in Oman could soon be able to do part-time work, according to the annual report of the Implementation, Support and Follow-up Unit (ISFU), the government organisation tasked with overseeing the expansion of the Omani economy under the Tanfeedh plan for diversification.
“This initiative aims to provide part-time work opportunities in the private sector for Omani employees and job seekers, in addition to enhancing the flexibility of non-Omani workforce movement among establishments registered under the same entity,” according to the report.
“It also aims to allow the recruitment of non-Omani workforce with temporary licences in some specialised professions,” added the ISFU.
Dr Ahmed Al Hooti, the head of economic research at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), said the decision to allow for short-term work would benefit many in the country who were currently looking for employment opportunities, as well as fresh graduates, and those who felt they could supplement their existing income.
“We have an increasing demand for employment in the country, particularly among young Omanis,” he said.
“Some of them would like to work temporarily, rather than be fixed somewhere, because then they can switch easily from one job to another. Temporary jobs will be more useful to the youth, especially those who are fresh graduates. They can work this way and get some more experience and training.”
“Expat workers, sometimes, find themselves without jobs, and therefore, they cannot stay in the country, but they might not want to leave their company,” added Al Hooti. “What they can do is do some temporary work: the agreement has to be between three parties – the worker, the existing company and the new company. This is very useful, because if I have a business, but have no work for the expat, why should I pay him a salary when he is doing nothing? It is better to have another contract which allows him to work for some time, and once he has finished this contract, he can come back.”
“If you are currently employed and are also doing a part time job, and if both parties know this, and you have an agreement with you that says so, you can definitely work like this,” he said.
“If you have some spare time, for example, and you do some part-time work from home, as long as it is clear to all of the parties that you are doing your job, and you are also doing some temporary work, then you can do it.”
Part-time work is expected to greatly assist in diversifying the country’s economy, as workers can now be used where they are in demand, providing ready access to skill within the country, wherever possible. An online system has been set up for this purpose, and studies on the policies that will govern part-time work are currently underway.
The move is aimed at making work in the Sultanate more flexible, providing greater economic benefits to companies and people in the country, and ensuring organisations can get the most from skilled labour. The ISFU reports that 3,500 workers who wish to pursue short-term employment will be initially given licences to work part-time, with more such permits likely to be issued in the future.
Several stakeholders are involved in making the part-time work plan a reality, including the Ministry of Manpower, the Public Authority for the Manpower Register, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education, the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sultan Qaboos University, the Public Authority for Social Insurance, and the private sector.
Commenting on how giving people the choice to work part-time would help the economy, Al Hooti said, “With this, you put much more choice in the market. Today, if I have a business that requires one year of work, why do I have to bring staff from outside and pay them, the cost to me will be high. I can actually find these skilled workers internally, whether expat or Omani, and once this is over, they can find another place to work. We have to find a dynamic environment for work and for business, not just an environment that allows for one type of work.”
“If companies are allowed to take on board short-term workers and pay them for the short term, it is much better than taking them just to fulfil the need for labour,” added Al Hooti. “Later, both the company and the employee will not be happy. These short-term contracts will keep him very close to the business environment, he will learn how the company works, and if the employee is happy to continue, then maybe they can have another agreement. There are also many jobseekers who are currently looking for work, but are not able to find the right job,” he added. “Instead of staying at home, they can now do some short-term work.”