63,000 runaway workers in 2016
More than 63,000 workers ran away from their employers in 2016 as against 60,000 in 2015, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).
The number of employees fleeing their sponsors rose by five per cent last year compared with the previous years despite efforts to curb the trend by granting them amnesty, said the NCSI.
“Indeed, the number of undocumented workers in the country may be on the rise, but Oman has always tried to bring them back to their families,” said a top official.
Social workers in Oman expressed concern over workers running away from sponsors and engaging in antisocial activity.
“The situation Workers run away is worrisome. because of the fault of either party,” says P M Jabir, an active social worker.
“The so-called free visa menace has reduced after the Royal Oman Police and other officials increased the number of raids. Many companies are not paying salaries, which has also resulted in an increasing number of workers absconding,” he added.
However, some managers attribute it (running away) to uncertainty in the labour market and “no release” for working for another sponsor, strict rules for obtaining NOC, including huge amounts demanded by sponsors,” says Ajmal Ahmed, sales and marketing manager in a leading company.