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No layoffs of citizens without prior approval: Baawain

Thursday, 8 January 2026 00:24

Muscat – Companies are not permitted to terminate the services of Omani employees without prior review and approval from the Ministry of Labour, H E Dr Mahad bin Saeed bin Ali Baawain, Minister of Labour, stated responding to concerns raised in the Majlis A’Shura over recent layoffs in the telecommunications sector. Speaking during a shura […]

Muscat – Companies are not permitted to terminate the services of Omani employees without prior review and approval from the Ministry of Labour, H E Dr Mahad bin Saeed bin Ali Baawain, Minister of Labour, stated responding to concerns raised in the Majlis A’Shura over recent layoffs in the telecommunications sector.

Speaking during a shura session on Wednesday, the minister stressed that no company may dismiss an Omani citizen without first submitting a request to the ministry for assessment, including details of its economic and operational conditions.

His remarks came after shura member Hussain al Lawati questioned the dismissal of Omani employees at a telecommunications company in recent months, adding that the handling of the case was being closely watched. Lawati cited reports that access systems, including biometric entry, had been disabled for some employees on the day of their termination.

In response, H E Baawain said any company that carries out layoffs without notifying the ministry and obtaining approval would be held legally accountable.

“If the employee accepts the options offered by the company, the ministry does not intervene,” the minister said, adding that the government’s role is to ensure fairness and compliance with labour laws in employment practices.

He informed that the ministry has referred the minimum wage issue back for further consultations with stakeholders and for a fresh review, taking into account economic conditions and labour market realities.

“The issue of the minimum wage has been referred back to the ministry for further consultation with partners and for reconsideration,” the minister said. “This includes examining the feasibility of raising the minimum wage in a way that achieves decent living standards, or adjusting the level of any increase in line with market mechanisms and prevailing economic conditions.”

H E Baawain added that the Ministry of Labour has finalised its review of the minimum wage proposal and forwarded it to the competent authorities, stressing that the process is proceeding in accordance with established mechanisms.

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