Muscat – A two-day forum – ‘Towards a More Sustainable Social Dialogue’ – organised by General Federation of Oman Workers, in collaboration with Ministry of Labour and Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, concluded on Tuesday.

The event brought together representatives from government, employers and workers bodies to discuss the current state of social dialogue in Oman and strategies to enhance its effectiveness and sustainability.

Discussions emphasised the importance of social dialogue in promoting decent work, improving labour market competitiveness and driving economic growth. Participants highlighted the fact that effective dialogue not only balances the interests of government, employers and workers but also plays a critical role in shaping policies that support sustainable development.

While progress has been made under the new Labour Law – such as establishment of committees to resolve labour disputes and encourage dialogue – the forum shed light on challenges limiting the full activation of social dialogue in Oman. Key issues identified included the absence of a dedicated office to support the Joint Dialogue Committee, insufficient specialised staff, and gaps in governance mechanisms to follow up on decisions and recommendations.

Additionally, participants noted legislative and procedural hurdles that restrict the efficiency of existing dialogue structures. The lack of a national framework to ensure fair representation in public and economic policymaking was also cited as a concern.

The forum concluded with several recommendations aimed at overcoming these challenges. These included establishing a dedicated office for the Joint Dialogue Committee, expanding its mandate to influence broader labour market policies, and ensuring diverse representation in dialogue processes. Strengthening the capacity of dialogue committees, addressing legislative gaps, and developing long-term solutions for economic and public policy issues were also emphasised.

Participants further suggested the ratification of key international labour conventions and the adoption of best practices from leading nations to enhance Oman’s social dialogue framework. The forum ended with a shared commitment among stakeholders to work towards a more inclusive and sustainable model of social dialogue, aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and the nation’s development goals.