Hire more Omanis, government firms told

Ministry of Finance has issued 19 circulars this year aimed at controlling and managing spending

The Oman’s Ministry of Finance has called on companies fully owned by the government to increase the percentage of Omani employees, particularly in senior positions, according to a circular issued on Tuesday.

It comes after the State Audit Control reported that the nationalisation rate in these companies is very low and recommended mechanisms to promote Omanisation.

The Ministry of Finance has asked those companies to replace expatriates in senior positions with Omanis.

“It should be noted that 70 per cent of the employees in such companies are expatriates who are over 60 years,” said the circular.

Moreover, the ministry directed the government’s companies to follow Omani Labour Law by providing the details of the employee and package in the job contract. The ministry also urged the companies to come up with a five-year plan to replace expatriates with Omani nationals.

It also directed all government agencies to stop issuing travel allowances to employees assigned for work inside the country that does not need a night’s stay outside the base town. The minimum distance to qualify for a travel allowance should not be less than 250km.

“The government agencies should only pay 75 per cent of the allowance to the employee assigned for an assignment outside the country when he or she has a sponsor and 50 per cent for internal assignment,” it said.

An employee using his or her vehicle on work assignments inside the country will be entitled to a travel allowance. For air travel, businessclass tickets should be issued only to undersecretaries, advisers, doctors, consultants and experts.

Last week, the ministry announced that tracking devices will be installed on all vehicles belonging to the government agencies, in a new move to monitor and cut back spending.

These moves come as the country grapples with a weakened economy amid the slump in oil prices. The ministry has issued 19 circulars so far this year aimed at controlling and managing spending.