Oman’s Ministry of Labour, represented by the General Directorate of Labour in Dhofar Governorate, has organised an employment fair in Salalah offering more than 100 job opportunities for people with disabilities in the private sector.
The exhibition brought together 50 private-sector establishments and jobseekers, creating a direct platform for people with disabilities to explore employment opportunities aligned with their skills and qualifications.
The initiative is aimed at moving beyond providing support and employment opportunities towards achieving actual and sustainable employment through closer engagement between jobseekers and employers.
The fair enables participating companies to conduct job interviews directly at the exhibition site, shortening the stages involved in searching and applying for jobs and bringing candidates closer to roles suited to their capabilities.
Speaking at the opening, Khalid bin Salem Al Ghamari, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Labour, called on employers to focus on the skills and capabilities of people with disabilities rather than their disabilities, and to invest in the potential of young Omani talent.
The exhibition also includes dedicated sections for the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Social Development. Through the Ministry of Labour’s section, people with disabilities who are not currently registered as active jobseekers can register and search for employment opportunities that match their abilities and qualifications.
For jobseekers, the initiative also addresses some of the practical barriers involved in accessing employment. One participant with a hearing disability said the exhibition provided an opportunity to meet companies in one place and seek roles suited to his capabilities, rather than having to travel between different locations to approach employers.
The Ministry said the exhibition is part of its wider approach to strengthening the presence of national competencies in Oman’s labour market and creating new pathways into employment for people with disabilities.
Rather than focusing solely on making opportunities available, the initiative seeks to establish an effective partnership with the private sector to translate those opportunities into actual and sustainable employment.
The approach also places greater emphasis on creating workplaces that recognise and invest in the capabilities of people with disabilities, supporting their participation and contribution to Oman’s labour market and wider development.
The exhibition highlights a shift from rehabilitation and support towards practical employment outcomes, with skills, capabilities and determination positioned as key considerations in connecting people with disabilities to the labour market.