3 annual hike mandatory only for Omanis in private sector MoM

(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Clarifying the decision issued earlier this month about three per cent annual increments for private sector employees, the Ministry of Manpower (MoM) said that the rule is applicable only for Omanis in the private sector and is not mandatory for expatriates.

The decision, issued by H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Abdullah al Bakri, Minister of Manpower, earlier this month, states that private sector companies must pay Omani employees at least a three per cent increment on their basic salaries every year.

''The recent decision cancels the previous one issued last year which did not specify whether the beneficiaries are only Omanis or the entire workforce. The new decision specifies that Omanis must get at least three per cent hike, but does not prevent companies from giving the hike to expatriate workers too,'' an MoM official said.

Few say the new decision had created confusion as they thought it was different from the one issued last year. ''We are now preparing increments for our staff for next year; we thought the new decision dictates to give an additional three per cent, meaning a total of six per cent. It wasn't clear to us,'' an HR official who wished to remain anonymous, said.

The MoM official said that action will be taken against firms not conforming to the decision. ''Only Omanis who have worked for more than six months with the company will be eligible for the annual increment from January 2013, and it will be over and above other entitlements enjoyed by employees.

''Omani employees can complain to the ministry if they are not paid the increment within the stipulated time.

''In case of disputes, they can call MoM on 80077000 and file a complaint