Stranded workers get help, say 'Thank you Oman'

Hundreds of stranded workers who claim they have not been paid since April have thanked the Ministry of Manpower after it stepped in to help.

Workers who said they had eaten nothing but basic white rice for weeks and feared being thrown out of lodgings are now being interviewed for alternative jobs or being sent home - thanks to the ministry and the Indian Embassy.

Read here: 900 workers approach Indian embassy over 'no pay' claims

Oman’s Ministry of Manpower stepped in to help 800 stranded workers in Sohar after we revealed their plight last week.

The workers complained to the ministry and their embassy about living conditions and a lack of basic food. In a statement to Times of Oman following our report, a ministry spokesman said they were working to resolve the case.

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“The Ministry of Manpower would like to ensure that it is following the situation of non-Omani manpower at the company and the ministry has communicated with all concerned parties and work is underway on a settlement to the issue, in coordination with their embassies in the Sultanate.

“It has been agreed that the concerned workers may depart the Sultanate and the Ministry is prepared to avail their travel requirements and follow up the complaint with their legal representatives.

“It is noteworthy that the Omani labour law stipulates in its 2nd part “regulation of foreign workers” that every employer, who employs 50 workers or more, has to place in a prominent place at the worksite a system for appeal and grievances, endorsed by the concerned department, and this system must stipulate that the worker has the right of submitting his (her) complaint, or grievance to the employer, or his representatives.

“And in article (56) of the (wages) part, the law has stipulated that the employer shall comply to return the non-Omani worker to his (her) country at the end of the employment relation with him, unless his (her) sponsorship is transferred to another employer, and if the employer fails to do so, the concerned authority shall repatriate the worker at the government expense and refer to the employer to compensate the paid amount, as the wages, rights and other benefits and all entitlements of the workers, or beneficiaries, by virtue of the provisions of this law have a priority of all due debts of the employer,” the statement read.

Workers spoke of their joy at the ministry move – and thanked them and the Indian embassy for their help.

Also read: Indian embassy in Oman working to resolve workers' salary woes

One worker said: “Yes, the Ministry of Manpower and Indian Embassy officials are helping us to find jobs in Oman. Two or three companies have already come here and have interviewed a lot of people. They have shown interest in hiring about 70 to 80 employees, which is terrific.

“Workers were also given some money and possible options were discussed. One of them was to grant the workers No Objection Certificates (NOC) so that they can work in Oman.”

Praising Ministry of Manpower for their help, Indian embassy officials also said that they are working with Oman’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to solve this issue as soon as possible. “The Manpower Ministry is very helpful and we are in touch with the workers to extend all possible help,” an official said.

The Indian Embassy in Muscat has also approached several companies in Oman asking them to consider recruiting the expatriates.

An official said: “All feasible solutions are being explored. We will help the workers who want to go back to India and will also help the workers who are looking for jobs here. It is a decision they have to make and we will help them,” the official said.

Source: Timesofoman