RO100mn in labour fines waived in 2025 as reform drive gathers pace
2026-02-09 - 19:29
Muscat – Labour fines worth RO100mn were waived off in 2025 as part of a broader reform programme to regulate the labour market and support economic growth, the Ministry of Labour stated on Monday. The figure was announced at the second session of the Together Forward Forum, which reviewed government efforts to improve services, raise competitiveness and encourage self-employment and entrepreneurship. H H Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, said that his office will oversee overall policies and strategies for economic development in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and other competent ministries and entities, ensuring policy alignment and the unification of efforts across sectors to achieve national goals. He added that Oman’s economic system is built on the principle of institutional integration, with policies formulated on the basis of precise analysis and implemented within a coherent and effective government framework. He also affirmed the continuation of the forum as an open platform for the exchange of views, visions and ideas on issues of public interest. H E Dr Mahad bin Ali Baawain, Minister of Labour, informed that the Tawteen programme is being implemented by the labour sector through 18 specialised committees. The initiative has expanded from around 1,000 companies in its first year to nearly 4,000 companies at present, reflecting wider private sector engagement in national employment goals. He also cited continued development of Sanad service centres aimed at easing procedures for businesses and jobseekers. H E Khalid bin Salim al Ghamari, Undersecretary for Labour in the Ministry of Labour, stated that 2,500 persons with disabilities were employed in the private sector by the end of 2025, while 2,000 were working in the public sector. He added that 100 additional job opportunities will be offered to persons with disabilities in the coming period. Digital transformation featured strongly in the discussions. H E Saeed bin Hamood al Mawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, said digitisation represents a small part of transformation and simplifying procedures form the larger share. Government performance in digital transformation improved 400% between 2022 and 2025, with about 600 services simplified. According to H E Dr Ali bin Amer al Shidhani, Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology, digital transformation plans cover about 1,600 projects across 57 government entities, including institutional restructuring, electronic platforms and process re-engineering. About 75% of these projects have been completed. He added that 32 projects fall under the National Programme for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies to enhance productivity, while 100 e-government services are now available to the public. On the economic front, H E Ibtisam bint Ahmed al Farooji, Undersecretary for Investment in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, stated that 200 Omani firms export to foreign markets with non-oil exports reaching RO6.2bn in 2025. Dr Mansour Talib al Hinai, Chairman of the Authority for Public Services Regulation, said investments in regulated sectors range between RO6bn and RO7bn. He added that more than 87,000 water samples are collected and analysed annually as part of regulatory oversight. Halima bint Rashid al Zaria, Chairperson of the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, said 11,000 Omani SMEs participated in international exhibitions last year. The number of micro-enterprises increased by 45,000 between 2022 and 2025. Home-based businesses number about 14,000, including 7,000 engaged in handicrafts. Together Forward Forum