Muscat – H E Dr Mahad bin Saeed bin Ali Baowain, Minister of Labour, has issued decision No 13/2025 establishing guidelines for part-time work in an effort to enhance employment prospects and accommodate the needs of jobseekers.
The decision, made on January 13, will take effect the day after its publication in the Official Gazette.
Under the new regulation, part-time work is defined as employment where the worker’s hours are fewer than those of regular employees in the same facility or less than the standard working hours set by law. The decision sets out specific conditions for employers and workers, including the requirement that part-time employment is offered exclusively to Omanis. It stipulates that part-time workers must work a minimum of four hours per day and no more than 25 hours per week.
The new system also sets the hourly wage for part-time workers at RO3, though a lower wage can be negotiated with prior approval from the Ministry of Labour (MoL). This provision ensures that part-time opportunities remain competitive while providing flexibility for both employers and employees.
The decision aims to support jobseekers, students and retirees. For students, specific criteria have been outlined – they must be at least 15 years old, enrolled in a public or private school and given a certificate of experience by the employer for the duration of their work.
It also places responsibilities on employers, who are required to clearly define the worker’s tasks, provide training where necessary, ensure the worker’s safety and contribute to Social Protection Fund by registering the worker. Additionally, employers must pay all required contributions on behalf of the worker.
The decision allows both the employer and the employee to terminate the contract with written notice served at least three days in advance.
This move is part of Ministry of Labour’s ongoing efforts to create more flexible employment opportunities.
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