NOC rule affecting private sector: Trade union leader

Mohammed Al Farji, a trade unionist in Oman, said he agrees with the Tanfeedh lab proposals and the Minister of Manpower.

“If a worker has completed his job contract, then he should not be stopped in joining a new company without a NOC. However, if somebody is breaking a contract and planning to move to another company, then the NOC rule should apply,” the trade unionist said.

One view

“NOC used as a tool to stop workers who have completed contracts should be removed. It is affecting the private sector. We don’t want workers to be exploited,” the trade unionist added.

One expatriate engineer in an automotive firm in Muscat said removing the NOC option for a worker who has completed the job contract is a welcome one.

“It would be a big relief for workers in Oman. I know many who are struggling under the current system. If it is proposed by Tanfeedh and the minister is hinting at relaxing the NOC option, then government should come out with a clear rule in this as soon as possible. It is being used as an exploitative rule in Oman by some employers,” the engineer added.

Fair to both

Recently, in an exclusive interview with Times of Oman, Shahswar Al Balushi, head of the Tanfeedh lab and CEO of Oman Contractors Society, said that it would be “unfair” on companies to scrap NOC but it should be fair to both employer and employee.

“If the expat came into the country to serve a specific purpose and before the two years expires he wants to jump ship, this is unfair for the company. If the company is the one asking this particular expatriate to leave, then I believe automatically the expat should be allowed to search for other opportunities and to join another company, without having to take an NOC,” the CEO said.

“I have fulfilled my contract, I should be allowed to join any other institution in Oman for that purpose. If you leave the company before the contract is terminated, then the NOC has to apply,” he said, adding that would be fair because all the elements of the NOC would be covered.

“Right now the NOC is saying regardless of what the situation is, you have to get the NOC from the company.

‘Make felxible ‘

“I think let’s make a change, let’s look at what is fair for both parties and make it flexible. It is there to protect both companies and employees. We should look at it that way. We should not gauge it to one side only. There is a contractual obligation between the two parties.”