Omanisation drive stepped up

The government is to offer extra incentives to the private sector to help implement a new programme to boost Omanisation and reduce dependence on expatriates who form more than one-fourth of the two-million population.

This was announced by Transport and Telecommunications Minister Malik bin Suleiman Al Maamari to mark the second stage of the National Manpower Employment Forum created recently to speed up Omanisation in line with the directives of his Majesty Sultan Qaboos.

The Omani monarch travelled to Dhahria region on Saturday from Saham in Batinah to continue his meet-the-people tour, now in its fourth week.

A rousing welcome was accorded to him by the jubilant people all along the route. A royal camp has been set up at Seih Al Masarat in the wilayat of Ibri.

Al Maamari, who is accompanying Sultan Qaboos along with other ministers and advisers, said the private sector would be encouraged as best as possible to recruit citizens in order to develop human resources without which national progress is not possible.

Al Maamari, who is also head of the Tender Board, disclosed that in future a company excelling in Omanisation would be given preference in government contracts.

"A prime criterion of all government tenders will be the generation of job opportunities for Omanis instead of the lowest price strategy adopted so far," he said.

He noted that new incentives like allowances and gratuities are also under consideration for Omanis working in the private sector.

"We want to make the private sector as attractive as possible for our job-seeking citizens.'

Three years ago, a sum of 100 rials was fixed by the government as a minimum salary for an Omani in the private sector in addition to 20 rials as housing and conveyance allowance.

"No country will have a similar salary structure for its citizens and expatriates," said the minister, adding that it depends on the living standards in each country.

Presenting a five-point programme, Dr Khamis bin Mubarak Al Alawi, Minister of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources, disclosed that tailoring workshops will be set up in the wilayats of Saham, Buraimi, Ibri, Khabaourah and Nizwa in order to break the near-monopoly of expatriates in this profession.

"It's time to train citizens in the art of computer and electric repair, vehicle repair, video and photography and some other services monopolised by foreigners," he said.

"We have to expand the base and convince our youth that no job is inferior in order to ensure the success of our five-point plan drawn up in the light of our new strategy to end joblessness among our youth."

In his paper, Abdul Alim bin Mustahil Rakhout, head of the Omanisation Follow-up and Monitoring Committee, said the Sixth Five-Year development plan (2001-2005) envisages 187,000 new jobs for citizens in addition to the vacancies to be created by expatriates for replacement.