Oman Labour Ministry rolls out new regulations for domestic workers hiring, annual leaves, weekly offs & more

The decision under Ministerial Decision No. 475/2025 is effective from October 13 onwards, and covers a wide range of job roles including domestic workers, nannies, private drivers, gardeners, home nurses, cooks, building guards, and animal care workers too. 

Under these new regulations, the Ministry has emphasised that all the employment contracts of these workers must be in Arabic or include an Arabic version. 

Workers under 21 cannot be employed, recruitment fees cannot be charged, and employees must work only within their licensed profession. 

The Ministry has also outlined that all the employers are required to provide adequate housing, food, transport, and health insurance, and maintain their employment records for at least one year after the worker’s service ends. 

All contracts must be electronically registered on the Ministry’s platform, with clear guidelines for working hours (maximum 12 hours/day), probation periods, and wage payment timelines. 

Additionally, it emphasised that financial dues must be settled within five days if a worker transfers to another employer, or within three days for those leaving Oman permanently. Workers may terminate contracts without notice in cases of unpaid wages for two consecutive months or any form of abuse. 

Employers can dismiss workers without end-of-service benefits if the employee assaults them or their relatives, or is absent without valid reasons. Domestic workers are also exempt from legal fees in labour disputes and can be represented by licensed recruitment offices. 

The Ministry said the decision reflects Oman’s ongoing efforts to strengthen governance, enhance social justice, and ensure decent living and working conditions, reinforcing the country’s commitment to international labour standards.