‘Don’t hire black market workers’

“If they are going to use this mechanism in this way, then they have to take the responsibility of what they are doing, because the rules of this country are clear: if you are bringing someone here for work, it is your responsibility to take care of him, pay his salary, and not allow him to work somewhere else, except if there is a pact between you and another company that allows them to work for some time, but this is to help in the case of subcontractors.”

Yunis Al Manthari, a member of the Majlis Al Shura, also warned companies against hiring workers on so-called ‘free visas’. “Illegal employment is detrimental to society for its business, because these are also unethical business activities,” he explained.

“Workers are deported to their country, so the one who is affected here is the worker. “It is easy for the worker and the employer to circumvent the laws.

“An independent fund will soon be established and will be one of the results of the Tanfeedh programmes, which will be separate from the Ministry of Manpower. We hope that many of these problems will be resolved.”

The ministry has warned companies not to hire black market workers, and promised to hunt down those who flout the law.

“Most cases of absconding employees stemmed from proxy companies that hired workers illegally, or institutions that are apparently/ superficially owned by a citizen, yet in reality owned by an expatriate,” the ministry said. “The Ministry of Manpower would like to take this opportunity to better inform expats on the issue of illegal labour,” the ministry added. “Approximately 20,000 illegal workers are arrested each year for labour violations. This process consumes government resources, which could be put to use elsewhere, and undermines efforts to develop Oman’s economy.

“The MoM believes that a public more informed on the rules and penalties for the participation in, or enabling of, illegal labour practices, will reduce the problem,” added the statement. Under ministry regulations, both sponsors and employers caught in the act could face fines of up to OMR2,000 and could be barred from using ministry services for two years, with the employer also being ordered to cover the costs of his workers’ flights home.