MUSCAT — The Sultanate’s Labour Confederation has stressed the importance of introducing amendments to the Social Insurance Law as quickly as possible in a way that keeps pace with the aspirations of workers and ensure stability at the market. This was noted by Saud bin Ali al Jabri, Chairman of Sultanate’s Labour Confederation, at a joint meeting with Manpower Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Nasser al Bakri.
Al Jabri pointed out that more improvement to the status of workers in the private sector diminishes the rate of employment and avoids more shifting of the national manpower from the private sector to the public sector. The meeting also touched on the importance of training of members of the labour unions in the field of social dialogue and group negotiations.
Al Bakri said that the ministry deals with private sector employees (represented by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and labour unions) in a very transparent manner to secure the rights and obligations of industrial stakeholders.
The minister pointed out that the Public Authority for Social Insurance seeks to develop a pension system for those working in the private sector through constant revision of the rules of social insurance to ensure more benefits for the workers.
He added that the Sultanate’s Labour Confederation has become a member of PASI board of directors and that this is a positive step towards enhancing the rights of workers in the private sector.
The minister also laid emphasis on the importance of enhancing the role of the social dialogue among industrial stakeholders and the government, businessmen and workers through a designated social contact panel.
Al Bakri hailed the efforts of the Sultanate’s Labour Confederation in enhancing co-operation with the ministry by highlighting different issues of interest to workers in the private sector, notably proposed amendments to be introduced to the Labour Law.
He also said that it is necessary for industrial stakeholders to have qualified workforce that understands the concepts of dialogue. — ONA
