2010 Annual Survey of violations of trade union rights – Oman

Population: 2,800,000
Capital: Muscat
ILO Core Conventions Ratified: 29 – 105 – 138 – 182

Trade unions are still rare. Migrants’ working conditions remain a cause for concern. Only one trade union federation is allowed, and the right to strike is recognised, though with restrictions.

Trade union rights in law

Despite recent improvements to trade union rights, problematic areas remain in the law. Two decrees adopted in 2006 and 2007 grant workers the right to form trade unions, when previously only “representation committees” were allowed. More than one union can now operate per company, and employers are prohibited from punishing or dismissing workers for union activities. However, the reference to the “General Federation of the Sultanate of Oman” implies a monopoly with a single trade union federation. The Ministry of Employment may also refuse to register a union “if it is not convinced” that all the requirements have been met. Furthermore, there must be at least 25 employees for a union to be formed, regardless of the size of the company, and security and government personnel are not allowed to organise. Trade union activities are restricted by the requirement that unions notify the government at least one month in advance of union meetings.

While wages and working conditions were previously set by law or individual contracts, workers are now allowed to carry out collective bargaining. Still, the procedures for calling a lawful strike are cumbersome, as a strike must be supported by an absolute majority of the workforce, and notice of the strike must be given to the employer at least three weeks in advance.

Trade union rights in practice and violations in 2009

Background: Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said has ruled the hereditary monarchy since 1970. All important decisions are made by him. Oman has only ratified four ILO conventions.

The country’s economy depends heavily on the contribution of migrant workers, particularly in the construction industry. About 852,000 migrants are employed in the private sector, compared to about 305,000 Omanis. In August the government released its target figures for the percentage of Omani nationals to be employed in each private enterprise.

Still no national trade union centre: The founding congress of the General Federation of the Sultanate of Oman, the country’s only national trade union centre, has been postponed several times. It is due to be held, finally, in February 2010. At the end of 2008, the Ministry of Manpower had recorded 58 unions at the enterprise level.

Suicides among migrant workers on the increase: A United Arab Emirates newspaper, The National Newspaper, reported an increase in suicides among migrant workers in Oman. Part of the reason for this is the very difficult living and working conditions they face.

source: http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/refworld/rwmain?page=country&docid=4c4fec612d&skip=0&coi=OMN&querysi=trade&searchin=title&display=10&sort=date

2009 Annual Survey of violations of trade union rights – Oman

Population: 2,600,000
Capital: Muscat
ILO Core Conventions Ratified: 29 – 105 – 138 – 182

The government allows trade unions, but only for certain categories of workers. Only one trade union federation is authorised. Collective bargaining and strikes are recognised, though with restrictions. Some migrant workers reportedly work in conditions similar to forced labour.

Trade union rights in law

Freedom of association: Two decrees adopted in 2006 and 2007 grant workers the right to form trade unions, when previously only “representation committees” were allowed. More than one union can now operate per company, and employers are banned from punishing or dismissing workers for union activities. The armed forces, security and government personnel, and domestic workers are not allowed to form unions.

There must be at least 25 employees for a union to be formed, regardless of the size of the company. The Decree’s reference to the “General Federation of the Sultanate of Oman” implies a monopoly with a single trade union federation. The Ministry of Employment may refuse to register a trade union “if it is not convinced” that all the requirements have been met. Unions must notify the government at least one month in advance of union meetings.

Collective bargaining: Workers are allowed to carry out collective bargaining, replacing the formal requirement that wages and working conditions had to be set by law or individual contracts. When there is no trade union, collective bargaining will take place between the employer and five representatives selected by the workers of the enterprise. The employer is not allowed to object to any of the representatives selected. While negotiation is ongoing, the employer is prohibited to take any decision on issues that are on the bargaining table.

Right to strike: Peaceful strike action is allowed. Strikes must be supported by an absolute majority of the workforce. Notice of the strike must be received by the employer in writing at least three weeks beforehand. The strike should come to an end if the parties agree to commence the procedures for settling the dispute. To this end, the Ministry will form a committee in consultation with workers and the employer. If such committee fails to solve the dispute within four weeks, the dispute will be referred to the courts.

One export processing zone (EPZ): There is one export processing zone: the Salalah EPZ, but the precise arrangements (incentives, taxes, etc.) are not yet known.

Trade union rights in practice and violations in 2008

Background: Half of the workforce is made up of migrants, so the government is actively taking measures to replace foreign expatriates with local workers.

Freedom of association: The Constitutive Congress of the General Federation of the Sultanate of Oman, the country’s only trade union centre, which was scheduled to take place in September or October after being delayed on several occasions, failed to take place.

Migrant workers: Half of Oman’s workers are foreigners, and they represent a cheap and vulnerable source of labour. Most are from southern Asia and have a particularly strong presence in the construction industry. They work in situations amounting to forced labour. Migrant labourers in some companies and households work more than 12-hour days for US$78 per month.

In June, in order to protect its nationals (around 500,000 Indians live in Oman) who are employed as domestic workers in Oman from abuse, India fixed a minimum wage for domestic workers at US$195 a month.

The Sultanate of Oman wants to create more jobs for its own nationals, particularly in the private sector, and in July the government placed a ban on foreign workers in the private sectors covering imports, exports and clothing businesses.

source: http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/refworld/rwmain?page=country&docid=4c52cad228&skip=0&coi=OMN&querysi=trade&searchin=title&display=10&sort=date