Introduction
In Oman, the Omanisation programme has been in
operation since 1988, working toward replacing
expatriates with trained Omani Personnel. by the
end of 1999, the number of Omanis in government
services exceeded the set target of 72%, and in
most departments reached 86% of employees. The
Ministry has also stipulated fixed Omanisation
targets in six areas of the private sector. Most
companies have registered Omanisation plans. Since
April 1998 a 'green card' has been awarded to
companies that meet their Omanisation targets
and comply with the eligibility criteria fro labour
relations. The names of these companies are published
in the local press and they receive preferential
treatment in their dealings with the Ministry.
H. M. Sultan Qaboos
to oversee Omanisation drive
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos has underlined the
growing need for collective efforts to boost Omanisation,
saying he would personally follow up the implementation
of the recommendations of the newly-created National
Manpower Employment Forum.
"Forums and studies usually tackle hypothetical
issues but the subjects of this forum are realistic
and the implementation of its recommendations
will be possible only if there is a concerted
effort from the government and the other sectors
of the community", said Sultan Qaboos, while
addressing at the royal camp in Ibri Walis, members
of the State Council, the upper house of parliament,
Majlis Al Shura, the lower house and dignitaries
belonging to the Dhaihra region.
Omanisation, a campaign meant not only to ensure
job for each citizen but also to reduce dependence
on expatriates in search of self-reliance in human
resource, has become the government's top priority
more than ever before since the recent address
by the Omani leader to the joint house of parliament,
devoted as it was to the national manpower development.
The local media has been geared up to drive home
the royal message to ensure a complete success
of the campaign.
Already, thousands of illegal workers have been
sent back home to create room for citizens and
more are leaving before the extended amnesty deadline
expires by the end of this month. A similar move
was initiated three years ago.
Expatriates form more than one-fourth of the
2 million population, according to the first census
held in 1993.The next one is due in late 2003.
According to Oman Television, which broadcast
the royal address in Ibri, Sultan Qaboos said
he has watched some Proceedings of the forum on
Omanisation on television and was impressed by
the level of frankness pervading the atmosphere.
"Without open discussions nothing could
be achieved", he announced.
A number of ministers, accompanying Sultan Qaboos
on the tour, have come out with indepth working
papers, pinpointing hurdles facing Omanisation
and ways to remove them to meet the all-important
objective.
One of the main obstacles, as pointed out by
Sheikh Amor bin Shuwain Al Hosni, Minister of
Labour and Social Affairs, was the presence of
foreign top management which prefers expatriate
workers, a clear hint that this top stratega needs
to be 'Omanised.'
Sultan Qaboos said the Omani youth constituted
a large vital section of the society and no effort
would be spared to ensure a bright,dignified future
for them. At the same time, he exhorted the youth
to work diligently and selflessly for the development
of the country, as "work ,whatever its nature,
is a virtue."
He explained that citizens able to establish
their own projects will not only benefit themselves
but also their families and the whole community.
"Failing to act and talking about obstacles
and hurdles will lead to nowhere," he said.
The Ministry has stipulated a fixed Omanisation
ratio in six areas of the private sector. Transport,
storage and communications are to have 60% Omanisation,
finance; insurance and real estate 45%; industry
35%; hotels and restaurants 30%; wholesale or
retail trading 20% and contracting 15%.
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H.M. News 
