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Join Date: 05 Mar 2015
Location:  OmanPosts: 24 |
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Will two-year ban on NOC in Oman drop to one year? |
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Will two-year ban on NOC in Oman drop to one year?
Muscat: Talks aimed at changing the controversial two-year country ban on expatriates trying moving job without a no objection certificate (NOC) are being held by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), Oman's trade union and the Ministry of Manpower. The OCCI is leading the talks after some of its members called for the review of the two-year visa ban, which doesn't allow expat workers to switch jobs without an NOC from the current employer. "The OCCI is holding talks with the ministry and the trade union to make the two-year visa ban more flexible," said Mohammed Hassan Al Ansi, vice-chairman of the Committee of Logistics and Transportation Affairs at the OCCI, and added that the rule could see some changes. Al Ansi stressed that the ministry should protect the rights of the expatriates. "The rule should not target expatriates working in different positions. As an OCCI member, I feel that the ban should be reduced to one year for expatriates in some positions, while the two-year ban should be retained for specific positions," he said. The ministry should find a way to shield expatriates as some companies are misusing the rule, he added. "When one expatriate is paid less than someone in another company with the same qualifications and experience, the ministry should stand by the expatriate," he said. Stating that the ban should not generalise, Al Ansi said, "It helped control illegal trade in the Sultanate but not in the free market. It also helped in moving nationals around in the private sector, but at the same time it impacted the expatriates, as some companies misused the situation and ignored their rights. This should change," he noted. On why the ban should be reduced to one year, he said, "It is essential if one has to control illegal trade. Some of the expatriates come to Oman on work visas. In the process they develop contacts and gain experience through their companies. After one or two years, they convince some of the Omanis to sponsor them. They open their own companies and then start an illegal trade by paying a monthly sum to the sponsor," he said. He added that these expatriates even take away contracted employees from companies they have worked for earlier through their contacts. "The illegal trade has truly affected the economy of the Sultanate and also the business of many companies, especially among the small or medium enterprises," said Al Ansi. Supporting the OCCI move, Ahmed Al Busaidi, a Majlis Al Shura member representing Manah, said the decisions made by the authorities in the recent past need to be reconsidered. "I do not feel that the decisions made by the authorities can resolve any issues. Coming up with rules such as these will not help in decreasing the number of expatriates in the Sultanate," said Al Busaidi, and added that some of the rules are quite vague. "The government should value skilled expatriates as countries across the world depend on them. Every country needs skilled expatriate workers and we should ensure a healthy work environment for them instead of discouraging them with such decisions," he said. He added that such people contribute to the development of the country and at the same time give a fillip to the Sultanate's economy. "Exerting pressure with regard to visas for expatriates in construction companies has not helped, and has only impacted the market negatively," he said. "The Ministry of Manpower must share all its decisions with the OCCI and the Majlis Al Shura. It should not be made by only one side. The OCCI can share their market requirements with the ministry and the Majlis Al Shura can convey the public view on these issues," said Al Busaidi. Involving more parties in decisions made by the ministry will ensure that the rules and regulations are implemented professionally. Any move by the ministry on the issue of expatriates should be implemented only after a realistic study, he opined. Obsolete rules "Times change and so do needs. The ministry should understand that a rule which worked five years ago may not work now," said Al Busaidi. "Such rules also become obstacles for young nationals who wish to establish businesses. I have received numerous complaints from young businessmen who feel that their businesses have stalled or have been affected due to the complicated rules and regulations by the ministry," he said. Welcoming the move by the OCCI, A Seal, a businessman based in Muscat, said that he has been waiting for such a move for the past year. "Such a rule will not force expatriates to leave the place which they have enjoyed living in and working in for many years. We know that there are various issues created by some expatriates inside the Sultanate, but the rest of us have nothing to do with violations, crimes and illegal trade," he said. He hoped that the government would cancel the rule, but if that was not possible it should make it flexible, especially for companies which have submitted proper documents with the government. Yahya Khalfan, a businessman, also supported the OCCI move. Business hit "My business has been affected by the ban. I cannot recruit expatriates who have the experience of working in Oman. Training an expatriate without any experience of working in Oman can be frustrating at times," he said. Pawan Kunburu, working in a private sector company, said that his company has faced numerous problems because of the rule. "We have had no salary hike, many deductions and warnings. I feel, this rule is not taking the Sultanate's private sector on the right path," said Pawan. When the Times of Oman contacted the Ministry of Manpower recently an official said there were no plans to change the ban. No one from the manpower ministry was available to comment on the talks. The ministry had recently extended the ban on recruiting constructions workers for another six- month period. Source:timesofoman http://www.timesofoman.com/News/52736/Article-Will-two-year-ban-on-NOC-in-Oman-drop-to-one-year |
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