Oman restricts entry of foreign workers

The Omani government has put in place controls in the employment
of foreign workers as it freezes the entry of expatriates, including
Filipinos, who have previously worked in the Sultanate.

POEA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac said the Philippine
Embassy in Muscat has reported that effective 1 July 2014, Oman is
issuing employment visas only to expatriate workers who have
stayed out of the country for at least two years from the date of their
last departure.

Cacdac, however, clarified that the policy only affects foreign
workers who have finished their previous contract and went home
with the intention of going back to Oman to work for another
employer. An expatriate worker who has not completed two years
after departure but was called to rejoin the same company is not
covered by the ban.

Oman also imposed a ban on employment visa transfers for foreign
workers who have not completed two years of their work contract
with their company.

“Apparently a way to prevent “piracy”, expats with unfinished
contracts are not allowed to change employers even if they have
found a better job,” Cacdac said.

Workers may request, however, a “no objection certificate” or NOC
from their employer that would legally allow them to transfer to
another company. The prohibition on employment visa transfer took
effect last 1 June 2014.

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