Najd – In a move aimed at supporting agricultural production and addressing seasonal labour requirements, the Ministry of Labour, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, has launched a temporary labour transfer service for agricultural workers in the Najd region of Dhofar governorate.

The initiative allows farmers in Najd to temporarily recruit agricultural workers during the peak cultivation and harvesting seasons under a set of clearly defined regulations designed to streamline labour mobility while safeguarding workers’ rights and maintaining compliance with labour laws.

Under the scheme, agricultural workers may be transferred for up to one month during the planting season and for a maximum of two months during the harvesting period. The service is exclusively available to farmers operating in the Najd region, one of Oman’s most important agricultural zones known for its extensive production of fruits and field crops.

The Ministry of Labour said the programme seeks to provide farmers with easier access to the workforce required during periods of high demand, thereby helping sustain agricultural productivity and reducing potential labour shortages.

The transfer mechanism is subject to several conditions. Workers cannot be transferred to occupations other than those specified in their permits, and transfers from private-sector work permits to commercial work categories are not permitted unless the worker is already employed by the same employer or falls under designated labour categories. Workers must also have completed at least three months with their current employer and have a valid work permit with a minimum of three months remaining.

To benefit from the service, farmers are required to submit an application to the Agriculture and Water Resources Department in Thumrait, specifying the type of crop and cultivated area and providing documents, including land ownership or usufruct agreements, valid agricultural licences and well permits. Approved applications are then processed by the Directorate-General of Labour in Dhofar.