MUSCAT: Omani nationals working in 28 companies based in Dhofar are expected to benefit from an increase in the minimum wage, thanks to an agreement between the government and private operators. The workers will see an increase in their monthly rate from OMR325 to OMR400 after the Directorate General of Ministry of Manpower in Dhofar signed agreements with the companies to raise the minimum wage for nationals, an official at the General Directorate of the Ministry of Manpower in Dhofar said. “We have signed agreements with 28 companies so far and more will agree in the coming days,” the official said.
Companies, including the Salalah port, Mina Petroleum, Salem Group, Dhofar Fisheries, Dhofar Structures and Iron industries, Dhofar Vegetable Oil and Derivatives, Dhofar Cattle Feed Company, Dhofar Poultry Company and other companies have agreed to raise the minimum wage for nationals,” said Khalid bin Hamad Al Rawahi, director of the General Directorate of the Ministry of Manpower in Dhofar, said. He added that the decision was not only for now, but will be applicable in the future too.
“Raising the minimum pay for nationals, who receive OMR325, will reflect in the salaries for others too, such as those who earn more than OMR400. We try to create good relations with companies and explain that such issues have become necessary, especially in Dhofar, as most of the nationals don’t prefer to work for less than OMR400 as a monthly salary,” said Al Rawahi, adding that if the ministry wants to push nationals to work in the private sector, then it has to put this into action and create a better work atmosphere for them, especially when it comes to their pay.
“Companies should also show that they are willing to employ nationals and in return we can understand their situation whenever they are in a bad shape,” said Al Rawahi. “We are working now with seven other companies and in the coming days, we might sign an agreement with them to raise the minimum salaries for nationals. We work according to a plan and our moves can be counted upon to push as many companies to raise the nationals’ salaries. We target companies, which have a higher number of Omanis as employees and also companies that have nationals as employees, with salaries of less than OMR400,” explained Al Rawahi.
