Temporary Labour Transfer Facility for Dhofar’s Najd Farmers: Key Benefits for Agricultural Businesses in Oman
Muscat: To support agricultural productivity during peak cultivation and harvest periods, the Ministry of Labour, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, has launched a temporary labour transfer service for agricultural workers in the al Najd area of Dhofar Governorate.
This initiative introduces a regulated system that allows eligible farmers to temporarily employ agricultural workers during seasonal demand while ensuring adherence to labour laws and protection of workers’ rights.
The service has been established through joint efforts between the Ministry of Labour’s Directorate General of Labour in Dhofar and the Directorate General of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in Dhofar, providing a structured framework to facilitate workforce mobility during the agricultural season.
Under the programme, the temporary labour transfer period is set at one month during the cultivation season and up to two months during the harvest season. The service is exclusively available to farmers operating in al Najd, Dhofar.
Farmers wishing to benefit must first apply to the Directorate of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in Wilayat Thumrait, specifying the type of crop and the cultivation area. Applications must include supporting documents such as proof of land ownership or a valid agricultural usufruct contract, a valid agricultural holding certificate, and a copy of the well permit.
After receiving approval from agricultural authorities, applicants must complete the remaining steps with the Directorate General of Labour in Dhofar by submitting the endorsed application along with proof of land ownership or a valid usufruct agreement.
The Ministry outlined several conditions for the temporary transfer of workers. Agricultural workers cannot be transferred to occupations outside those permitted by their work permits, nor can they be moved from agricultural to commercial work permits except in specific cases where the worker is employed by the same employer or fits approved occupational categories.
Additional conditions require workers to have completed at least three months with their current employer, have a minimum of three months remaining on their work permit, and hold active employment status at the time of transfer. Approved transfer requests are limited to two per year for the cultivation season and two for the harvest season.
Officials emphasised that the initiative aims to streamline seasonal labour management, offer greater support to farmers, and help sustain agricultural production in one of Oman’s vital farming regions through clear procedures and well-defined regulatory controls.
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The Ministry of Labour’s new temporary labour transfer service in Dhofar creates critical operational flexibility for farmers, enabling them to meet peak seasonal labour demands efficiently while ensuring legal compliance. For businesses, this represents an opportunity to optimize workforce utilization without long-term commitments, reducing labour shortages during key agricultural periods. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should consider innovations in agri-labour management and support services that align with this regulated framework, capitalizing on the growing demand for flexible, compliant labour solutions in Oman’s agricultural sector.
