MUSCAT — The Ministry of Manpower has announced that it has stopped issuing visas to companies engaged in the following activities: Import and export, cleaning, barber shop, laundry, electronic repair, garbage cleaning and selling, textile shops, mobile GSM shops, health clubs, workshops in aluminium, iron, wood, car repair and all related activities, tailoring shops and beauty parlours.

As per the new rule, companies engaged in these activities will not be eligible for visa clearance. Accordingly, existing companies cannot bring in new expatriate recruits, nor can new companies be set up. However, those currently employed in these activities can renew their visa. Ministry sources say the objective of the move is to enhance Omanisation and bring more local talent to the fore. “There is plenty of local talent but there’s very little space available for them,” said an official. Ministry sources also revealed that the visa restrictions apply only to small, grade 3 and 4 companies and not to those that have been awarded the ‘green card’ for compliance with labour laws and Omanisation targets.

Omanisation, a campaign meant not only to ensure job for each Omani citizen but also to reduce dependence on expatriates in order to ensure self-reliance in human resource, has always been top priority in the Sultanate since 1988, with the aim of replacing expatriates with trained Omani personnel.

By the end of 1999, the number of Omanis in government services exceeded the set target of 72 per cent, and in most departments reached 86 per cent.

According to ministry statistics, the ratio of Omanisation in the private sector has been on the rise since early 1990s. It rose from 14.7 per cent in 1995, to 16.6 per cent in 2000. Moreover, the ministry has stipulated a fixed Omanisation ratio in six areas of the private sector. Transport, storage and communications are to have 60 per cent Omanisation, finance insurance and real estate 45 per cent industry 35 per cent hotels and restaurants 30 per cent wholesale or retail trading 20 per cent and contracting 15 per cent.

The Ministry of Manpower has also been undertaking extensive training programmes to fully equip young Omanis to take on jobs in various sectors.

As part of the self-employment programme for women, special training has been given to tailoring and stitching work as well. In several wilayats of the Sultanate, tailoring jobs have already been fully Omanised.