Over 45,000 expats have left Oman so far: Ministry of Labour

Muscat: Over 45,000 expats have left the Sultanate and around 70,000 have applied to leave by the end of March 2021.

According to the Ministry of Labour 1Q report of 2021, the total number of non-Omani workforce registered to leave during the grace period till the end of March 31, 2021 was 69,467, while the number of actual departures was 48,863.

The ministry data also revealed that, 617 expatriates were arrested for violating the provisions of the Labour Law and the procedures implementing it, the highest number of them in Muscat governorate with 162, with 131 in the Governorate of North Al-Batinah and 112 in Al Wusta Governorate.

With regard to inspection visits, the report indicated that the Ministry of Labour has carried out 491 visits to 736 establishments which include a total of 97,053 workers.

The Ministry of Labour added: "The inspection teams set a number measures regarding non-compliant establishments, including issuing 53 violations, and referring 9 establishments to the public prosecution. As many as 56 written warnings have been issued, 142 verbal warnings, and 297 instructions were issued for violating establishments."

The report also indicated that the registered reports of expats leaving their work amounted to 4,245.

The Ministry issued 11 violations against facilities violating occupational safety and health requirements, referring nine establishments to the Public Prosecution, and 51 additional deadlines. The Ministry also issued 37 written warnings against establishments that violate the requirements of occupational safety and health, 27 written alerts 14 instructions and guidance, and 15 establishments were re-visited at the request of the Public Prosecution. As many as 105 enterprises were committed to occupational health and safety requirements.