Global Rights Index 2014 - Oman

Country Rating: 4

• Systematic violation of rights

• Workers in countries with the rating of 4 have reported systematic violations. The government and/or companies are engaged in serious efforts to crush the collective voice of workers, putting fundamental rights under continuous threat.

Oman's main oil producer Petroleum Development Oman dismissed 400 workers who had gone on strike demanding pension contributions and health insurance. Workers were reinstated after negotiations under the auspices of the Shura Council. Art.110 Labour Code prohibits the dismissal on the basis of trade union activities. However this regulation does not come with dissuasive sanctions.

Methonal Holding violates collective agreement: Workers at Oman Methanol Holding Company (OMC) in Sohar and Dalma Energy in Muscat went on strike to protest against the company's failure to implement the annual salary increases stipulated in a decision by the Manpower Ministry. The ministerial decision No. 32/2012 which was adopted in January 2012 requires companies in the private sector to give a three per cent salary increase annually. Management also refuses to implement a collective agreement reached with the trade union.