The Ministry of Labour (MoL) in Oman has introduced a new initiative aimed at streamlining job opportunities through a smart system as part of broader employment policy reforms. The MoL also announced the completion of a review of the minimum wage structure.
At its annual conference on Monday, MoL officials revealed plans to create 45,000 job opportunities in 2025. This includes 11,000 training and qualification placements, 10,000 jobs in the government sector, and 24,000 positions in private enterprises.
H.E. Mahad bin Saeed Baowain, Minister of Labour, highlighted that the ministry’s efforts focus on employment-linked training programs, wage support, and on-the-job training. “These efforts will cater to jobseekers across multiple sectors, including small and medium enterprises, large companies, startups, freelance work, and temporary government contracts,” Baowain stated.
The ministry also launched the pilot phase of the ‘Smart Management’ project, aimed at enhancing digital governance in human resource management. In collaboration with the private sector, this project integrates AI-driven applications and a digital knowledge base to improve workforce planning.
H.E. Baowain reported that companies participating in the training-linked employment program have achieved a compliance rate of over 82%. The MoL surpassed its 2024 target of 35,000 job placements, achieving 104% of the goal by placing 36,615 workers. Additionally, 17,215 individuals, including 11,758 men, benefitted from the government’s job security program.
As part of Oman’s digital transformation efforts, MoL introduced a platform to monitor termination requests. In 2024, the number of termination requests for Omani workers dropped significantly, with only 87 of 5,402 requests approved, allowing 4,892 Omani employees to retain their jobs.
The ministry also rolled out a system called ‘Individual Excellence’ across 67 government entities, adding 45 new features to improve work efficiency, leadership performance, and job satisfaction. Government agencies will now be assessed on operational speed and leadership effectiveness.
H.E. Baowain also noted that the number of expatriates working in the private sector has surpassed 2 million, while around 265,000 Omanis are employed in the sector.
As part of its workforce localization efforts, 2,800 Omanis have been placed in leadership and mid-management roles in industrial cities in collaboration with the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn). The National Employment Programme continues to align educational programs with labor market needs, and work is underway to establish specialized companies to help job seekers enter emerging sectors, including information technology and industrial maintenance services.
To support entrepreneurship, MoL has introduced a freelance work package offering financing, training, social protection, and consulting services, aiming to empower Omani entrepreneurs and strengthen the gig economy.
