‘Nepotism’ report causes furore in Oman

Muscat: A major controversy has erupted in Oman after a local newspaper accused a high-profile minister of nepotism in a news report.

A number of top officials in the government were named by Azamn newspaper for having used their personal position and influence to employ their own children as well as those of senior officials in government departments.

The paper reported that the senior minister contacted the Ministry of Civil Service asking it to employ a number of sons and daughters of top officials at his ministry outside the established procedures of employment in government departments which require announcement of job openings and equal opportunity employment.

The alleged revelation caused furore on social media, with hashtags being launched in criticism of the ‘wasta’ trend which refers to abuse of positions of power and influence.

An undersecretary at the same ministry was reported to have contacted the Public Authority for Manpower Register requesting permission to employ three persons, including his daughter.

“We would like to inform you that the three citizens above mentioned applied to the ministry for employment, and therefore we decided to take advantage of their capabilities and skills and hired them,” said the undersecretary.

Azamn said it obtained documents that exposed some other top officials involved in ‘wasta’.

Calls for transparency and a crackdown on corruption have become louder since the protests of 2011, and local media has since played a role in highlighting such issues.

Azamn said it earlier obtained official documents which revealed favouritism in recruitment procedures while thousands of job seekers are waiting to get jobs.

Omanis on social media demanded that the State Audit Control and other authorities interfere and investigate the matter as soon as possible.

Lamar Al Balushi tweeted that wasta is everywhere — from small to top jobs in both public and private sectors.

Khalid Al Jahwari tweeted that the top officials involved in the illegal practice should have the courage to apologise and then resign.