Muscat – Ministry of Labour (MoL) receives between 17,000 and 18,000 complaints annually related to wage payments, highlighting persistent challenges faced by workers in receiving timely and full wages.
Saif Salem al Zaabi, Member of Wage Protection Programme team, acknowledged the scale of the problem and outlined measures being adopted to address it.
The ministry has set up a specialised committee to safeguard workers’ wages and resolve disputes fairly and transparently.
Central to this effort is the Wage Protection System (WPS), which mandates that private sector employers pay wages through an electronic system regulated by Central Bank of Oman. Under WPS, salaries must be deposited directly into employees’ bank accounts on time and in full, as stipulated in employment contracts and Oman’s Labour Law.
“The number of wage-related complaints remains consistently high, between 17,000 and 18,000 annually, even after introduction of WPS,” said Zaabi. “The system is designed to improve transparency and ensure compliance across the labour market.”
Businesses struggling to meet the WPS requirements have been given an 18-month grace period to adjust. MoL has also introduced penalties for violations under Ministerial Decision No 729/2024. Employers who fail to comply with WPS face penalties ranging from warnings to service suspensions and fines of RO50 per affected worker, with repeat offences incurring double the fines.
Introduced under ministerial decision No 299/2023, WPS is part of broader reforms aimed at modernising labour practices, protecting workers’ rights and fostering a fairer labour market. The phased implementation of the system allows businesses time to adapt, with sector-specific guidance and technical support provided by MoL.
The ministry commended companies that have already adopted the system, recognising their role in promoting fairness and fair business practices. It also encouraged employers and workers to use official channels for queries and pledged to work closely with stakeholders to ensure a transparent and equitable labour market.
Through these initiatives, MoL aims to create a work environment where workers’ rights are protected, disputes are resolved efficiently, and businesses operate with fairness and transparency.
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