Oman Labour Crackdown: 11,000+ Violations and 2,944 Deportations Reported

The Oman Ministry of Labour has released striking enforcement data for the first half of 2026, revealing a massive crackdown on illegal employment practices across the Sultanate. According to the latest report, authorities identified a total of 11,172 labour violations involving expatriate workers during this period.

To uncover these infractions, inspection teams conducted 6,707 targeted visits to various businesses. The rigorous enforcement efforts resulted in the deportation of 2,944 expatriate workers who were found to be in breach of national regulations.

A Breakdown of the Violations

The Ministry's findings highlight several critical areas where legal compliance failed. The most significant categories of violations included:

• Unauthorized Employment: 4,859 cases where non-Omani workers were employed by an establishment other than their officially authorized employer.
• Job Abandonment: 1,952 instances where workers had left their authorized employers.
• Omanisation Breaches: 1,117 cases involving work in professions specifically reserved for Omani nationals.
• Self-Employment: 1,098 cases where workers were operating on their own account.
• Invalid Permits