Oman Reports 11,000+ Labour Law Violations and 2,944 Expulsions
The Oman Ministry of Labour has announced a major crackdown on illegal employment practices, identifying 11,172 non-Omani workers in violation of national Oman labour law violations during the first half of 2026.
Massive Enforcement and Legal Action
The findings were the result of a rigorous inspection campaign, with authorities conducting 6,707 site visits across the country. This enforcement drive has led to significant consequences for those found breaking the rules. According to official data, 2,944 workers have been deported, while an additional 4,680 cases have been referred to the Public Prosecution for legal proceedings.
Beyond deportations and legal referrals, the Ministry has also successfully collected OMR 3.245 million in fines stemming from these various breaches of employment regulations.
Impact on the Expatriate Population
The scale of these enforcement actions is particularly significant given the size of Oman's foreign workforce. As of June 2026, the expatriate population in Oman stands at approximately 2.33 million people, accounting for 43.25 percent of the nation's total population. Within this demographic, Indian nationals constitute the largest group, followed closely by citizens from Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Detailed Breakdown of Violations
The Ministry categorised the 11,172 recorded violations into several specific types of non-compliance, highlighting different areas of risk in the labour market:
- Unlicensed Employment: 4,859 cases involved non-Omani workers being employed by companies that did not hold proper licenses.
- Employer Abandonment: 1,952 cases involved workers leaving their authorised employers.
- Omanisation Breaches: 1,117 cases involved the employment of foreigners in roles that are strictly reserved for Omani nationals.
- Independent Working: 1,098 cases involved individuals working on their own account rather than through an employer.
- Contract Termination Issues: 962 cases involved the failure to repatriate or transfer a worker within the mandatory 60-day window following contract termination.
- Invalid Permits: 786 cases involved individuals performing work without holding valid work permits.