Royal Decree 52/2023 Issuing the Social Protection Law.

This Law, comprising 162 articles, is issued for the purpose of (i) preserving and unifying insurance rights across sectors (government, military, security, and private) by (a) consolidating legacy pension systems into a single, comprehensive framework with clear and unified rules; (b) repealing sector-specific laws; (c) standardizing eligibility criteria for all insured persons regardless of sector; and (d) establishing a Social Protection Fund as the sole entity responsible for managing benefits and insurance branches; (ii) providing protection and support against work-related risks to promote a safe, healthy, and productive work environment through specialized insurance branches and regulatory oversight by (a) covering all Omanis working in the Sultanate—including those on temporary, training, or part-time contracts—against workplace and commuting accidents (with phased coverage for non-Omani workers as determined by the board); (b) guaranteeing treatment, medical care, and rehabilitation in government hospitals for work-related injuries; (c) providing financial support during periods of incapacity; (d) enforcing workplace safety standards; and (e) ensuring that sick leave and personal health events do not result in financial instability, thereby supporting workforce stability and productivity; (iii) redistributing income across the life cycle through integrated insurance and savings programs that address risks and needs from childhood through old age, using Social Protection Benefits (state-funded) and Social Insurance Branches (contribution-funded); (iv) sharing labor market risks between employers and workers through an integrated insurance system that delivers comprehensive protection while reducing overall costs; (v) enabling efficient financial and administrative planning by allowing entities to manage cash flows and obligations more effectively, with insurance mechanisms covering most employment-related risks; (vi) reducing discrimination in employment against groups such as women, persons with disabilities, and individuals with illnesses by transferring the financial burden of their specific needs from individual employers to a centralized insurance system. By pooling risks and costs across the labor market, the Law ensures that hiring such groups does not create a disproportionate burden on any single employer. In particular (a) maternity leave wages and contributions are fully covered, removing disincentives to hire women; (b) persons with disabilities are supported through dedicated benefits, fair assessment mechanisms, and eligibility for early retirement; (c) workers with illnesses receive tiered sick leave compensation for up to 182 days; (d) all workers are covered for occupational injuries and diseases, including medical care and rehabilitation, without direct cost to the employer.