Oman Move to Allow Labour Unions Praised

MUSCAT — The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and other international bodies have hailed the steps taken by Oman to allow labour unions in the country.

The Sultanate’s Labour Confederation (SLC) institutional conference was held here recently in which board members were elected from 48 labour union representations.

There are around 70 labour unions which have been formed in Oman following amendments to the country’s labour law to allow the formation of the Sultanate’s General Labour Union.

The ILO’s commendation was echoed by the Arab Labour Organisation, the International Labour Union and the Arab Labour Union which said that the SLC lays solid foundations to look after the workers’ rights and follow up of the labour market developments.

The conference participants recommended enhancing syndicate freedoms in a manner that would guarantee independence and mutual respect between workers and their employers.

Oman’s Minister of Manpower Shaikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Bakri, in a statement said the conference complements the previous steps taken by the Sultanate to ensure free election of administration in the labour sector and making provisions for the labour unions to represent workers in regional and international arenas.

Khalil bin Abdullah Al Khonji, the Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce a