The Oman government has instructed government-controlled entities to accelerate the replacement of foreign workers, in managerial positions, by qualify citizens as Gulf country press ahead with the Omanization plan to create opportunities for its citizens.
The finance ministry, AFP reports, gave public sector companies until July 2021 to draw up timetables to appoint Omanis in the place of foreign staff, including in managerial positions.
The Gulf country’s 4.6 million population is 46 per cent made up of expats. The foreigners are working in government-run companies and a big chunk of them occupy senior positions according to the finance ministry.
The sultanate over the past few year rolled out its Omanization plan seeking to create more employment for its citizens. To achieve the goals, authorities have decided to reduce the presence expat workers in the public sector.
Authorities in January last year ceased issuing employment visas for expats in 87 professions, which include media, engineering, accounting and finance, IT, insurance, technicians, administration and HR industries. The ban was set to last for six months but was extended in July same year.
Oman orders public companies to fast-track replacement of expats by citizens
