Initiative to improve legal system for labour market
MUSCAT: In support of the economic diversification through which the Sultanate seeks to improve the business environment and reduce dependence on oil in the GDP, the Implementation Support and Follow-up Unit of the Diwan of Royal Court has initiated the development of the judicial system in relation to the labour market issues as one of the initiatives of the labour market and employment sector within Government plans and programmes.
The initiative on labour market issues will increase the efficiency of judges involved in the labour market and employment sector and the Ministry of Manpower, upgrade the compatibility of provisions and reduce the period of conflict resolution to nearly 200 days, which will support the business environment and improve the labour market and employment.
The initiative came due to the length of issuing labour cases or the issuance of contradictory rulings that negatively impacted the ease of doing business in the Sultanate. Labour disputes need to find quick and effective solutions to reduce costs and adversely affect employers and employees.
The Ministry of Manpower signed a cooperation programme with the Ministry of Justice, represented by the Supreme Judicial Institute in Nizwa to train and qualify a number of judges of the labour departments and personnel of the Public Prosecution, as well as a number of dealers in the investigation and settlement of labour disputes. This move translates the Government’s keenness through the concerned parties to develop tools and procedures to resolve issues that occur among the production stakeholders; employers and employees, in accordance with the provisions of the laws and regulations governing that relationship and to expedite the resolution of cases presented before both the specialists of the Ministry of Manpower or the courts. This programme was prepared by all parties and members of the initiative, which was discussed for six weeks during the labs of enhancing economic diversification from September 17, 2016 to October 26, 2016. The cooperation programme was signed to be executed during three years, with a renewable period. The initiative represents a confirmation of the principle of partnership among the different units at the state administrative apparatus, as well as educational and academic institutions in the Sultanate. Under this programme, the institute implements a series of specialised training programmes in the fields related to the settlement of labour disputes.
The system of conflict resolution in the Sultanate faces many challenges that limit the development of the labour market and employment, including the lack of harmonisation of judicial decisions and the length of time of litigation that continue in some cases for nearly 600 days, as well as the high proportion of disputes brought to justice, 40 per cent of all disputes, of which 44 per cent are referred to the Court of Appeal, thus increasing the length of time required to resolve a case.
The initiative also provides four strategies to address labour market and employment disputes, reduce the time required to resolve disputes and reduce the number of cases presented before the courts.