‘Omani grads replacing expats’

Some observers put this down to more Omanis joining the workforce and occupying the jobs that these expats might have otherwise held. However, the workforce still continues to be dominated by overseas workers.

Expats who are undergraduates, diploma-holders and those with master’s degrees saw their numbers fall more than those with other qualifications, such as doctorates.

Shahswar Al Balushi, the CEO of the Oman Society of Contractors, said that the fall in the number of qualified expats could be down to the increase in Omanisation.

“There is greater Omanisation in the workforce. There are many more Omanis graduating every year and ready to take over. I believe we have enough skilled Omanis to step in under the current economic situation. However, greater growth will bring in more expats.

“Omanisation is of course natural and the process is continuing. It is our job to keep creating good jobs for Omanis and maintain a culture where they can accumulate experience,” he added.

Insurance is a sector that has seen one of the highest rates of Omanisation. Muscat Insurance Company (MIC) CEO Philip K Philip said that his company had a robust Omanisation rate, adding that their Omani employees were competent. However, the visa ban had ensured a near complete freeze on the hiring of expats in the company, he added.

“The visa ban is pretty much a full stop for us, as far as hiring of expats goes, but we meet the required rate of Omanisation at all the different levels. We have talented Omanis, especially at the middle management level. In fact, we have Omani managers at all our 22 branches,” Philip said.

Al Balushi added that fewer construction projects in the country could also be a reason for the drop.

“The fact that there are fewer construction projects also plays a part, even when it comes to expats with technical and higher education degrees. So, due to the situation not being sustainable, they are leaving. Also, many of them are being released,” he added.

According to NCSI, the number of expats in 2015 was 1,866,301. It recovered to 2,051,034 in 2016 and jumped further to 2,095,550 in 2017.