New Domestic Worker Regulations in Oman: Key Changes Employers Must Know to Avoid Penalties and Ensure Compliance
Muscat: The latest issue of the Official Gazette (No. 1617) has established comprehensive guidelines outlining the rights and duties of employers and domestic workers in Oman, aimed at ensuring fair treatment, safety, and mutual respect within households.
Employer Responsibilities
Article 13 mandates that employers must treat domestic workers with dignity and respect, safeguarding their safety and health. Employers are obligated to provide adequate food, suitable accommodation, and all necessary supplies to fulfill the agreed-upon tasks. Assigning work that could jeopardize a worker’s safety, health, or dignity is strictly prohibited.
Accommodation Standards
According to Article 14, the living quarters of domestic workers must be well-ventilated, adequately lit, and air-conditioned, with secure doors, windows, and ceilings. Each residence must include comfortable bedding, space for personal belongings, and a clean, safe, and well-ventilated bathroom. Workers are also responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of their living areas.
Transportation, Health, and Record-Keeping
Articles 15 and 16 require employers to provide free transportation for domestic workers living outside the employer’s household and to cover their health insurance expenses. Article 17 obliges employers to maintain a file for each worker, containing identification copies, leave records, wage deductions, and other employment information. This file must be kept for at least one year after the end of employment and be available to the Ministry upon request.
Worker Duties
Article 18 specifies that domestic workers must respect the religion, customs, and moral values of Omani society. They are to treat employers and their families with respect, particularly children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. Workers must perform their duties responsibly, protect property, maintain confidentiality, and follow lawful instructions.
These measures, published in the Official Gazette, promote mutual respect and safeguard the rights and well-being of both domestic workers and their employers in Oman.
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The new regulations on domestic workers in Oman signal a pivotal shift toward formalizing labor standards and enhancing worker protections, which could improve labor market stability and employer-worker relations. For businesses and investors, this creates an opportunity to align services and products with compliance needs, such as housing and health insurance solutions, while also highlighting the importance of ethical labor practices as a component of corporate reputation and risk management. Smart entrepreneurs should consider ventures in worker welfare services and legal compliance advisory to capitalize on this evolving regulatory environment.
