Latest news with #non-Omani
Saba Yemen
23-07-2025
- Business
- Saba Yemen
Muscat stock exchange index closes 0.72 percent up
Muscat – Saba: The Muscat Stock Exchange 30 Index closed on Tuesday at 4,777.19 points, up 33.96 points, or 0.72 percent, compared to the last trading session's close of 4,743.23 points. Trading value reached OMR 25,957,198, a 2.55 percent increase compared to the last trading session's value of OMR 25,312,955. The daily report issued by the Muscat Stock Exchange indicated that market capitalization increased by 0.293 percent compared to the last trading day, reaching approximately OMR 29.05 billion. The value of non-Omani purchases on the stock exchange amounted to 1,105,000 Omani riyals, representing 4.26 percent, while the value of non-Omani sales amounted to 2,527,000 Omani riyals, representing 9.74 percent. Meanwhile, net non-Omani investment decreased by 1,422,000 Omani riyals, representing 5.48 percent. Whatsapp Telegram Email more of (International)
Gulf Insider
20-07-2025
- Health
- Gulf Insider
Omanis To Replace Expat Pharmacists: Ministry Of Health
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has issued Circular 167/2025 mandating the Omanisation of pharmacies located in commercial complexes and hospital facilities. The directive states that contracts of non-Omani pharmacists and their assistants will no longer be renewed, opening up opportunities for Omani nationals in the pharmaceutical sector. Expatriate pharmacists have long dominated the private sector in Oman. The new policy is expected to create jobs for many unemployed Omani graduates in pharmacy. Ahmed Al Wadahi, a recruitment expert, told Gulf News that the decision has been long awaited. 'This move gives Omanis a real chance to join the pharmaceutical workforce and become financially independent, instead of relying on their families,' he said. 'Oman is making solid progress in replacing expat workers in key private sector roles. For years, employment of Omani pharmacy graduates has remained low — but they deserve this opportunity.' Nasser Al Muqbali, a 28-year-old pharmacist who has been unemployed for five years, expressed hope. 'I've been waiting a long time. Like others, I dream of being independent and starting a career,' he said. The pharmacy profession in Oman has expanded significantly over the past two decades. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of pharmacists more than tripled between 2005 and 2018. By 2018, Oman had 2,692 pharmacists and 1,998 assistant pharmacists — equivalent to 5.57 and 4.2 per 10,000 people, respectively. The number of Omani health workers, including pharmacists, grew by over 40% between 2016 and 2019. Oman introduced the Omanisation programme in 1988 to gradually replace expatriate workers with skilled Omani nationals. While government departments and oil and gas companies have reached Omanisation rates of up to 90%, sectors such as construction remain heavily dependent on foreign labour.
Observer
19-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
Savings system/ provident fund for expats: How it works until July 2027
Muscat: The Royal Decree 60/2025 issued last week amended some provisions of Royal Decree 52/2023 that promulgated the Social Protection Law. Concerning the expatriate workforce, the decision states that the implementation of the savings system or the provident fund scheme for expatriates will now be implemented from July 19, 2027, instead of in 2026 as mentioned before. What is the savings system or the provident fund scheme? As per Article 135 of the Social Protection Law, the savings system is a defined contribution system, and the regulation shall specify the provisions governing the savings system. Article 136: The provisions of the savings system shall apply compulsorily to non-Omani workers within the limits of the amount of compulsory savings stipulated in Article 139(1) of this law. The provisions of the savings system shall also apply voluntarily to the following categories: Article 137: The savings system replaces the end-of-service grant or gratuity disbursed by the employer to non-Omanis. Article 138: The employer shall pay the end-of-service grant or gratuity for the service period before the date of commencement of the contribution provisions stipulated in article 139(1) of this law to the non-Omani worker under the provisions of the Labour Law or other related employment systems upon the end of the service, or shall settle it under the provisions of the Labour Law to the savings system or the worker. The savings due from the savings system are disbursed for the period following the date of commencement of the contributions stipulated in article 139(1) of this law to the insured non-Omani in the cases stipulated in article 143 of this law. Article 139: The financing of the savings system shall be as follows: 1. 9% ( nine percent ) of the monthly basic wage of the insured non-Omani. 2. Any amounts of savings paid by the employer, the insured, or others to the system to make savings in favour of the covered groups under the provisions of the regulation. 3. Gifts, bequests, and donations allocated to this system and approved by the board. 4. Loans approved by the board for the savings system after the approval of the Ministry of Finance. Article 140 The regulation shall specify the dates for the payment of the contributions stipulated in Article 139 of this law and the additional amounts imposed on the employer in the event of non-compliance with these dates. Article 141: The saver shall be entitled to the sum of the contributions, the amounts deposited in his account, and the returns on his investment. It is permitted for the regulation to specify a minimum for the investment returns. Article 142: It is permitted, based on an application by the saver, to disburse his savings in one of the following ways, in the manner specified by the regulation: 1. One-time payment. 2. An annual or monthly instalment, taking into account the additional returns collected until the end of the savings period Article 143: The saver is entitled to his savings from the fund in any of the following cases: 1. The end of the employment relationship for the non-Omani worker, unless he engages in another employment contract within the period specified by the regulation. In case of the death of the saver, the savings are disbursed to the legal heirs. The savings are transferred to the savings system in the absence of those entitled under the provisions of the clause. 5. Permanent disability. It is also permitted to use the savings to pay the contributions of the insured in the branch of insurance of the elderly, disability, death, and the branch of insurance against work injuries and occupational diseases in the cases specified by the regulation. Article 144: If the saver leaves the savings system or loses any of its conditions, he shall notify the fund in the manner specified by the regulation. The regulation shall also specify the administrative fines resulting from the failure to notify the fund. Earlier, the Ministry of Labour had clarified how gratuity (end of service) of both the Omani workforce and expatriates will be calculated as per Article 61 of the Labour Law until the implementation of the savings system, which is now scheduled for July 2027. For expatriates Under the previous Labour Law, the worker's gratuity was calculated at a rate of 15 days' wages for each year of service for the first three years, and one month's wages for each subsequent year. But effective from July 31, 2023, gratuity will be calculated at one basic salary for each year of service, based on the employee's most recent basic salary. Gratuity calculation example. A worker continued to work for the employer until the effective date of the new Labour Law on July 31, 2023. For example: An expatriate employment Start Date: August 1. 2021 Basic Salary: RO500. If the employment relationship between the worker and the employer ends after the new law comes into effect, how is the end-of-service gratuity calculated? For the period from the start of employment on August 1, 2021, to the effective date of the new law on July 31, 2023, the gratuity shall be calculated at half of a basic salary per year of service (RO250 for each year), as this period falls under the provisions of the previous law. For the period following the enactment of the new law, le gratuity shall be calculated at one full basic salary per year of service (RO500 for each year), under the new law's requirement that the end-of-service gratuity shall not be less than one basic salary for each completed year of service.
Observer
16-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
Pharmacists must be Omanis
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has issued a circular 167/2025 calling for mandatory Omanization in pharmacies located within commercial complexes and hospital facilities. The directive specifically states that licenses for non-Omani pharmacists and their assistants will no longer be renewed. The decision has been widely welcomed, particularly by Omani pharmacy graduates who have long voiced concerns about the lack of employment opportunities in private pharmacies, which have been largely dominated by expatriate professionals for years. For many pharmacy graduates in the Sultanate, the circular marks a long-awaited turning point. Saeed al Amri, a recent graduate with a pharmacy degree from a local university, expressed his optimism, saying, 'My classmates and I have been waiting for a decision like this since graduation. Unfortunately, the private sector has been heavily reliant on expat pharmacists. Now, we feel a real opportunity is emerging for us.' Abdulla al Hosani, an Omani pharmacist currently working in a private healthcare facility, echoed the sentiment, stating: 'This is not just about replacing expats. It's about investing in local talent. We are well-trained and more than capable of leading the pharmacy sector forward.' Recent statistics from the Ministry of Higher Education reveal a growing number of pharmacy graduates from both local and international institutions. Yet employment rates among these graduates remain modest, particularly within private institutions, where cost considerations often lead to the hiring of lower-paid foreign workers. While the decision has been largely applauded, stakeholders agree that implementing Omanization requires parallel efforts to ensure that Omani pharmacists are fully equipped to take on their roles in the private sector. Kholood Al-Balushi, a trainee pharmacist, believes that readiness is key: 'As graduates, we must rise to the challenge. The job market is competitive, and we need to continuously improve our skills. Securing opportunities should be matched with personal development.' Some private pharmacy owners have also highlighted the importance of additional support measures, such as financial incentives or training programs to ensure a smooth transition. The Ministry of Health emphasized that the circular is part of a broader national vision under Oman Vision 2040 to create sustainable employment opportunities for is a carefully considered policy decision based on employment data and field studies. The ministry is committed to working closely with private healthcare providers to ensure that this transition is implemented effectively without compromising the quality of healthcare services. Experts believe this directive will contribute to a broader shift in private sector employment dynamics. With more Omanis entering the pharmacy field, patient communication and trust may improve due to shared language, cultural understanding, and stronger community bonds. Moreover, the decision may also encourage higher education institutions to enhance their pharmacy programs by aligning them more closely with the needs of the local job market. It is expected that government-led initiatives such as training subsidies, internship placements, and employer incentives will play a key role in supporting the Omanization process. Ultimately, the Omanization of the pharmacy profession signals a decisive step toward workforce sustainability in the healthcare sector. It not only offers a renewed sense of hope for hundreds of job-seeking graduates but also reaffirms the nation's long-term commitment to building a self-reliant healthcare system.
Muscat Daily
15-07-2025
- Health
- Muscat Daily
Pharmacist jobs in hospitals and commercial centres Omanised
By OUR CORRESPONDENT Muscat – Ministry of Health (MoH) has issued a directive mandating Omanisation of pharmacy jobs in commercial complexes and hospital-affiliated in-house pharmacies. A circular (No 167/2025) dated July 13, issued by the Drug Safety Centre under MoH, instructed that professional licences of non-Omani pharmacists and assistant pharmacists in these establishments will not be renewed. The directive takes immediate effect. Signed by Ibrahim Nasser al Rashdi, Director General of Drug Safety Centre, the circular forms part of broader national efforts to enhance employment opportunities for qualified Omani professionals in the pharmaceutical field. 'All concerned entities are urged to take the necessary steps to implement this directive in a timely manner,' the circular said. The circular has been sent to all pharmacies operating in commercial complexes and those affiliated with hospitals. The decision follows the Health Sector Employment Governance Committee's discussions in January with Majlis A'Shura's Youth and Human Resources Committee on key initiatives aimed at advancing employment of Omanis in the health sector, focusing on complete Omanisation of the pharmacy profession in the private sector.
