Muscat – The Ministry of Labour (MoL) has stated that it recorded 1,277 amicable settlements and 26,549 violations related to expatriate employment in the first nine months of 2025, reflecting tighter enforcement and expanded digital oversight.

Hussain bin Ali Al Lawati, General Manager at the Directorate General of Labour Care, told Muscat Daily that complaint indicators from January to the end of September demonstrate a structured and balanced approach to dispute resolution, with stronger reliance on early mediation to reduce litigation.

During the same period, 2,263 complaints were referred to the competent courts, largely involving substantive legal rights or disputes that could not be settled through mediation, including cases of non-cooperation or failure to attend scheduled hearings.

The construction sector continued to record the highest number of labour complaints, attributed to its large workforce and complex subcontracting structures. Overlapping responsibilities and delays in settling workers’ entitlements within subcontracting chains remain key drivers of disputes, placing the sector ahead of more stable industries.

Termination without legal justification and wage-related grievances remain the most frequent complaints. Delayed salary payments, non-payment and unlawful deductions continue to feature prominently.

MoL officials also observed a shift in the nature of complaints this year, with workers increasingly raising fundamental contractual disputes rather than improvement-based demands such as additional benefits or salary increments.

Al Lawati highlighted the positive impact of the Wage Protection System, describing it as a transparent monitoring tool for tracking wage transfers in the private sector. The system has contributed to a noticeable decline in salary-related complaints compared with the period prior to its implementation. Compliance rates among large and medium-sized enterprises have improved, although limited challenges persist among a small number of establishments.

The ministry provides electronic platforms for submitting complaints, enabling accessible and timely processing. Cases are handled through specialised digital systems that facilitate classification, tracking and referral to relevant departments across governorates. Workers are exempt from filing fees and court fees in labour-related disputes under Article 13 of the Labour Law.

As part of its expanded oversight strategy, MoL signed an agreement with the Security and Safety Services Company to monitor compliance with Labour Law provisions, particularly those regulating the employment of non-Omanis. Inspection operations resumed in early 2025 in Muscat, North Batinah and Dhofar, with plans to expand in 2026 to Dakhliyah, Dhahirah and Buraimi, before extending coverage to all governorates within three years.

Inspection campaigns in Muscat, North Batinah and Dhofar recorded 26,549 violations involving expatriate employment – a 28% increase compared with 2024.

The ministry is accelerating digital transformation across inspection processes and exploring the use of artificial intelligence tools to enhance monitoring efficiency and strengthen labour market stability indicators.

Al Lawati stressed that organised oversight and effective dispute resolution play a central role in reinforcing compliance, curbing illegal practices and maintaining a stable, investment-friendly working environment in the sultanate.