The Sultanate of Oman is stepping up its efforts—not just to create meaningful job opportunities for its citizens, but also to enhance worker welfare.  

The focus is on supporting job seekers and nurturing local talent to meet the evolving needs of the region’s labour market.  

Recently, the Directorate General of Labour in Dhofar Governorate shared how they are intensifying efforts to support job seekers and improve worker welfare in the region—particularly in key sectors like transport, logistics, and information technology—as part of a broader effort to empower Omani talent, reduce unemployment, and ensure a fair, future-ready labour market.  

According to the Directorate General, in 2024 alone they placed 3,731 Omani workers in private sector roles—which is an impressive 50.2% increase compared to the previous year. By the end of 2024, Dhofar’s private sector workforce stood at 223,478, including 13,294 Omanis and 210,184 expatriates.  

For 2025, the Directorate plans to create 3,300 new job opportunities, prioritising vulnerable job seekers and recipients of job security benefits. The efforts will focus on advancing Omanisation, legal reform, and strengthening the dialogue between employers and employees.  

In addition to this, key sectors such as industrial cities and free zones are being targeted for Omanisation in collaboration with local authorities. The Directorate also carried out 1,599 inspections in 2024, addressing nearly 9,000 reported violations—underscoring its commitment to regulating private sector practices and protecting workers’ rights.  

Complementing these regional efforts, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) has also reported significant growth in its 2025 drive to expand employment for nationals.  

In the first quarter of this year, 1,450 Omanis secured jobs in the transport and logistics sector, while 236 were placed in IT roles. 

The ministry has set ambitious targets for the year—aiming for 4,950 jobs in transport and logistics and 430 in IT by the end of 2025.  

Interestingly, the ministry has already achieved 21% of its Omanisation goal in the transport and logistics sector. Further efforts are underway to reach 10% Omanisation in technical, specialised, and leadership roles, and an overall target of 63%, with 41% specifically in technical and leadership positions.  

To support these objectives, the ministry has rolled out several new policies, including mandatory Omanisation quotas for consulting firms and a 20% requirement for supervisory roles in the last-mile delivery sector.  

Workforce readiness is also receiving a strong boost—210 Omanis are currently engaged in training programmes that align classroom learning with real job placements. Among them, 52 are being trained to become certified heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, thanks to a partnership with the Oman Logistics Association.  

In the digital space, the ministry is promoting both traditional and freelance work. Through its Freelance Work Initiative, 58 freelance contracts have been awarded in collaboration with Awasr.

Additionally, 50 nationals received practical training and job placements in semiconductor-related projects through the On-the-Job Training Initiative.  

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Furthermore, the Makeen Initiative aims to help young Omanis develop essential digital skills for the digital economy, and has already benefited 990 participants this year.

The Sultanate’s national and regional efforts reflect a united and determined push to build a resilient, inclusive, and opportunity-rich labour market—where local talent are equipped not just for job requirements today, but for future-ready roles

Catching up on last year’s updates:

• The Ministry of Labour launched a new Wage Protection System (WPS) to better track salary payments. It requires private employers to pay workers through bank transfers, following rules set by the Central Bank of Oman.
• The Social Protection Fund also asked all employers to update their expatriate workers' details through a new online portal to ensure benefits are processed accurately.
• Oman’s expatriate population reportedly crossed 1.8 million in 2024, outnumbering the local workforce in the private sector—especially in construction, trade, and manufacturing.
• Additionally, full-time Omani and non-Omani workers in both public and private sectors were given access to improved maternity benefits, including paternity leave—supporting working families and encouraging more women to join the workforce.