The Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Health on Monday discussed discontinuing the practice of subcontracting work in private health institutions and replacing expats in such positions with Omanis.

The Ministry of Labour organised a meeting on Monday, headed by H E Sheikh Nasr bin Amer al Hosni, Undersecretary for Labour in the Ministry of Labour, in the presence of Eng Redha bin Juma al Saleh, chairman of the Board of Directors of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Dr Mazin bin Jawad al Khabouri, director general of Private Health Establishments in the Ministry of Health, with the directors of human resources departments of private health institutions to discuss a number of issues and challenges facing this sector.

The meeting discussed plans to replace the expat workforce in private health institutions with citizens. 

The Ministry of Labour confirmed that many healthcare centres in Oman hire workers from local companies instead of bringing them on visa from foreign countries. It urged them not to employ subcontracted workers.

H E Sheikh Hosni discussed the need of expediting replacement plans of expats in private health institutions and creating more job openings for national cadres.