Rule implemented to stop expats switching jobs

Without the NOC, expats have to leave the country and cannot return for a period of two years. According to government officials, the rule was implemented to stop expatriates switching jobs and joining competing firms.

The Implementation Support and Follow Up-Unit have been conducting meetings with different Tanfeedh initiative teams, in order to evaluate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and find solutions for the challenges that face Oman and a non-oil future.

Tanfeedh, the government think tank charting the economic future of Oman, held a series of ‘labs’ last year where experts from the public and private sectors brainstormed for six weeks to come up with solutions for the Sultanate’s economy.

The Labour lab, headed by Shahswar Al Balushi, had drawn up proposals around the NOC regulation to make it fairer to both employers and employees.

There were, however, mixed responses following the results.

Omani national, Mohammed Al Siyabi said, “While this regulation has in many instances led to the loss of individuals with competencies and experiences to neighbouring countries, I think it would be more useful to have a No Objection Certificate for noneducated expatriate workers, but I believe that university degree holders should be exempt.

“If we recall, the most important reason for the requirement of a Certificate of No Objection was the instability of sponsorship with unskilled labour, because of the more tempting offers by other citizens.”

Another Omani national, Khalid Al Balushi, said, “This regulation has a positive and negative side. Some employers have misused it against expat employees.”

Another Omani explained why restrictions should be eased, “We demand that the employee be allowed to move, in order to allow small and medium enterprises to attract experienced staff from the local market.”

Ahmed Al Hooti, an Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) member, believes that NOC can be removed depending on the sector.

“As an SME leader, you can remove it but not in all sectors. For example, let’s focus on the sector that produces Omani Halwa.

“If we don’t have the NOC in place, then that employee will be able to leave to another company with the secret to producing that particular Halwa.

“In return, the employee will start competing against the original owner. We are in a very small market with limited opportunities.

“They’re just trying to save themselves. 90 per cent of SME owners don’t agree with getting rid of the NOC - their main concern is their employees turning around and freelancing with their product. We respect the rights of the labourers but the market is small,” Al Hooti said.

President of the Bangladesh Social Club Muscat, Mohammed Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan, said employers and employees should come to a mutual agreement regarding issuing NOC. “Companies spend huge money in bringing workers and training from other countries. So, it is not wise that you leave the company after training,” he said, adding that it is totally at the discretion of an employer whether to give it or not. “So I think the poll result was right,” he added.

A CEO of a private company said that the employees looking for NOC should pay for visa charges and the money spent on training them.

Manpreet Singh, Chairman of the Indian Social Club in Salalah, said that from a business perspective the NOC should stay as they invest a lot of money for hiring expats. “But if you ask me as Chairman of Indian Social Club in Salalah, then I think the NOC should be withdrawn from the employees’ point of view.”