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Omanization
Omanization
Introduction
Omanization is a policy enacted by the government in the Sultanate of Oman in 1988
aimed at replacing expatriate workers with trained Omani Personnel (DeFlumere, 2010).
That mean, it is a control method for expatriates working in Oman to avoid the many
social, political and economic situations. Today, expatriates are working in various
sectors, such as household (baby sitting and housemaid), business (various industries)
and in public sector (as professionals), as well. However, the government in Oman is
more concerned about those expatriates who works in the private business sector
because they represent about half of Omani population, now-a day. Therefore, the
legislations are set to control the expatriates high percentage in the private
organizations. Which means that the Omani government enhanced its efforts to achieve
a high Omanization level in the private sector since 1988. Remarkable figures show that
Omani society has benefited from this trend in the last few years.
This paper will list many points related to this issue, including: the legislations in the
Omani labor law, the importance of Omanization for the society, the statistical aspects
of Omani and Expatriate Workforce, Omanization and recruitment practices,
Omanization and Gender and finally the conclusion.
Nationalization process is adopted in many countries all around the World. Even in the
rich GCC countries, this process is currently widely-applicable. For Oman, Omanization
is very important for many reasons. Besides ensuring low unemployment rates for
Omani citizens, Omanization allows Oman to be self-reliant in human resources by
decreasing dependency on expatriates (DeFlumere, 2010). It enhance the training
programs through expanding vocational institutes and colleges. The government
focused in training and human resource development, which is a real investment for the
national economy. Therefore, Omanization process has several benefits for Omani
society.
There were many seminars and workshops conducted aiming to enhance the
Omanization strategy’s implementation. During his visits to governorates and Wilayats
after 2003, HM the Sultan approved the recommendations of Public seminars to give
incentives to Omani investors and small companies to positively participate in the
Omanization Strategy. There are many career fairs held at the Oman International
Exhibition Centre and other places targeted young Omanis to join private companies as
trainees and join work within these companies after completing the program periods.
Beside the ministries in the sultanate, many other public and private organizations has
played pioneer role to enhance Omanization tendency. For example, Central Bank of
Oman (CBO) has supervised the progress made by the commercial banks with
Omanization. In July 1995, CBO has issued a circular stipulating that by the year 2000,
at least 75% of senior and middle management positions should be held by Omanis. Oil
and gas companies in the Sultanate has offered many positions for Omani staff in the
last 10 years. Many other companies, such as Zubair offer to be an incubator for new
established small Omani establishments by providing them the consultancy and funds.
Although the Sultanate has succeed to employ more than two hundred thousands of
Omanis in the government and private sector, the ratio of expatriates in the total
population of Oman has also increased. This cannot be referred as a failure for the
Omanization strategy. There are also many other factors that make this ending
conclusion. The most considerable effect was the boost in the national and international
economy in the previous years. Therefore, the focus of the Omani government to train
the citizens to accomplish work that was previously practiced by expatriates was
successful. In another word, the intensive training urged by the government allowed
Omanis to improve themselves by wisely investment in human resource that benefit
present and future generation.
In general, Omanization has reduced the unemployment level and increased the
national income for Omani families. Combined efforts by various public and private
organizations has participated positively in reducing the poverty level and increasing the
value added in the nation. It also raise the social responsibility among the large private
corporates to develop and build public projects or help small Omani establishments to
grow up.
Public organizations in Oman has a clear definition for gender equalities when applying
to national recruitment. For example, in the public organization, gender equality is
strictly applied by Ministry of Civil Services when having applicants from both genders
competing for public jobs. Theoretically, both men and women can apply and be
accepted for similar jobs. However, there are some jobs considered to be suitable only
for men who are capable to handle in extreme situations, such as military, police and
guard positions. Although, women has started to enter these jobs lately.
In the private sector, gender equalities is also explored in most positions. However,
there are more restrictions for certain jobs that require hard working capability. Male
workers are only required when announcing for vacancies in specific hard-working jobs.
Though, there are many examples where male workers are preferred in business
sector, such as those of manufacturing activities, oil field operations, welding, melting
and other hardly-considered jobs for ladies. This situation exist because business
organizations in Oman are seeking to increase its profitability by increasing own labor-
efficiency. Variation in effectiveness and efficiency can be noticed based on gender
type. In field operations and in hard-manufacturing activities, men are more effective
than women. Whereas, in other jobs, such as nursing, clerical positions and education,
women are more efficient and have more patience than men.
Conclusion
Omanization is a process of replacing expatriates working in Oman with trained Omani
staff to achieve high percentage of employment in the country. The implementation of
Omanization process started from 1988 after the National statistical Office declaration of
its alarming statistics regarding the expatriates ratio with respect of the total population.
Allots of efforts has been imposed to enhance this policy since then. The Sultanate has
succeed to employ a large number of Omanis in the government and private sector.
However, the ratio of expatriates in the total population has increased also as a result
for the economic boost in the country in the previous years.
Therefore, the focus of the Omani government is to train the citizens to accomplish work
that was previously practiced by expatriates. This training allowed Omanis to improve
themselves by wisely investment in human resource that benefit present and future
generation.
References
DeFlumere (2010). “Fighting Globalization: Omanization”. Vinnie Ferraro's World Politics Class.
Population Clock, (2016). The National Center for Statistics and Information. Sultanate
of Oman. https://www.ncsi.gov.om/Pages/NCSI.aspx . accessed at: 8-5-2016.