On September 5, 2026, the Oman Ministry of Labour updated its non-Omani workforce guidance page on its official portal. As of September 6, 2026, the platform includes a Hindi language option to assist Indian workers in understanding their legal rights, work permits, labour complaints, and non-Omani workforce services.
- The portal now supports Hindi for Indian workers.
- Guidelines cover working hours, leave, contracts, and dispute rules.
The guidance clarifies that the
standard working limit is 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week, excluding meal and rest breaks. Continuous work should not exceed 6 hours. For Muslim workers during Ramadan, the limit is set at 6 hours per day or 30 hours per week. Overtime is permitted, but
total daily hours must not exceed 12. Compensation for daytime overtime includes a minimum of 25% extra on the basic wage, while night overtime requires at least 50% extra. Work on weekly rest days or official holidays entitles workers to 100% additional pay or compensatory leave.
Workers are entitled to
at least 30 days of paid annual leave, typically accessible after six months of employment. Unused leave can be carried forward up to 30 days. Additionally, workers are entitled to two consecutive paid weekly rest days, though specific sector arrangements may apply. Employment contracts must be written in Arabic in two copies, one for each party; contracts in other languages must be accompanied by an approved Arabic version. Article 31 of the Oman Labour Law prohibits recruitment agencies from charging workers fees for employment. Candidates are urged to verify job offers, companies, and documents directly, as informal payments are considered red flags. Employment cannot begin without a valid work permit. Probation periods are capped at 3 months for monthly salaried workers and 2 months for others, with a 7-day notice required for termination during this time.
In the event of a labour dispute, workers must first file a settlement request with the Ministry of Labour, which has 30 days to resolve the issue before it can be referred to court. Workers are encouraged to retain evidence such as contracts, salary records, and correspondence. Further assistance is available via the Ministry's call center at 80077000 or through its official website.
