Royal Decree No. 53/2023 issuing the Labor Law.

This legislation, consisting of ten Chapters and 150 Articles, introduces new regulations governing employment in Oman. Its provisions apply to all business owners and workers, excluded those whose work is regulated by special Laws or regulations. Article 2 establishes that it is permissible to organize the work of groups with a special nature of work, provided that the decision includes the required conditions. Key provisions include: Article 3 granting the minister authority to regulate specific worker categories like casual or remote work. Article 4 obligates employers to maintain minimum worker rights, prohibiting reductions in employment conditions. Article 5 prohibits forced labor and the retention of workers' passports without written consent. Article 8 outlines dispute settlement procedures, emphasizing reconciliation before court action. Article 9 defines conditions and compensation for arbitrary worker dismissal. Article 12 establishes a fund for national human resource development. Article 13 mandates employers with 40 or more workers to hire qualified Omani workers with disabilities. Article 14 affirms work as a right for Omanis, with non-Omanis subject to specific conditions. Articles 15 and 16 delineate licensing requirements for employing and practicing work for non-Omanis. Article 17 authorizes the minister to set fees, regulate professions, and issue decisions related to work licenses and practices.
The Law encompasses key areas, including (i) employment of Omani workers, outlining employer obligations, training, development, and reserved quotas; (ii) employment of non-Omani workers, specifying conditions, fees for work permits, transfer rules, and repatriation procedures; (iii) work contracts, regulating formation, content, duration, termination, and rights/duties of parties; (iv) wages, defining types, components, and rules for payment, deduction, and protection; (v) working hours and leaves, determining normal and overtime hours, leave types, and durations; (vi) occupational safety and health, mandating a safe work environment and measures for preventing and compensating work injuries and diseases; (vii) disciplinary rules, listing violations, penalties, and appeal procedures for workers; (viii) collective labor relations, regulating trade unions, collective bargaining, agreements, and dispute settlement; (ix) labor inspection, defining functions and powers of inspectors, and conduct and reporting rules; (x) labor judiciary, establishing labor courts, their jurisdiction, and rules for filing and adjudicating labor lawsuits; and final provisions, encompassing sanctions for law violations, transitional provisions, and repealing clauses.
The ten Chapters are entitled as follows: (i) General Provisions; (ii) Employment and Training of Omani Workers; (iii) Employment of Non-Omani Workers; (iv) Employment Contracts; (v) Working Hours and Leaves; (vi) Wages and Benefits; (vii) Occupational Safety and Health; (viii) Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining; (ix) Labor Disputes and Settlement; (x) Penalties and Final Provisions.