By A Staff Reporter  

THERE has been Omanisation drive before. But, nothing like what is happening this year. For the first time, the Omanisation drive is taking into consideration the ground realities and moving ahead. It is an assured, unhurried pace, the effects of which are already evident. In fact, as many of those who are behind this new drive would like to term it, this is the new era of Omanisation. An era where the government and the private sector are joining hands for a single cause: Omanisation.  

An era where the drive is in tandem with education and training.  

Earlier, the market was Omanised without considering the need to see whether the new inductee was the right candidate for the right job. But, today the emphasis is on the candidate’s education and training, and in some cases, even experience.  

Because, today, it is felt that without education and training, Omanisation will not work.  

Not only has the government decided to expand the capacity of the universities; the secondary school segment, etc., on the educational side, it has also embarked on a reform drive, which will, indeed, complement the Omanisation drive. With the new development of the curriculum, which will be tailor-made to suit the needs of the market, Oman will be witnessing a new era of Omanisation.  

The government would soon be establishing new training institutes all over Oman , which will also offer training suitable to the market requirements.  

Many Omanisation promoters in the country are also advocating the setting up of incubators and workshops for the activities of professionals for productions and services near residential and industrial areas, depending on the nature and technical specialisation of each activity.  

Suddenly, there is a new thrust in the process of Omanisation and the private sector seems to be really opening up to the reality of Omanisation.  

Earlier, the government ordered and the private sector followed, although reluctantly. But, of late there has been a major transformation from both ends. Neither is the government holding a stick above the private sector, nor is the latter showing defiance. Instead, they are taking a united stand and jointly devising new ways and means to Omanise.  

It is not like before when the government decides which sector should be Omanised and then thrust it upon the private sector who takes umbrage under many excuses to say why they cannot Omanise, or make some lackadaisical efforts to Omanise just to be in the good books.  

All of that have changed.  

The private sector has seen the need to change their strategy for it has hit them suddenly: they had to Omanise or be left behind in the race to win.  

Omanis are the fuel to keep the developmental flow of this unique country.  

“I am very optimistic about the new era of Omanisation. Today, there is greater government and private sector cooperation. Today Omanistation strategies are mulled jointly. Nothing is thrust on the private sector.  

“When the government feels that it has to Omanise a certain sector, it consults the private sector, have dialogue with them and then jointly moots certain policies according to the needs and the reality of Omanisation.  

“Such a cooperation has been reinforced ever since the Omanisation symposiums — the first in Seeh Al Tabiyat in Saham wilayat (during October 6 to 9, 2001 ) and the second in Seehh Al Masarrat in Ibri wilayat (from October 22 to 24),” noted Khalil bin Abdullah Al Kjonji, secretary to the Businessmen’s Council.  

Today, there is harmony and coordination between development policies, economic diversification and the crystallisation of a comprehensive vision as far as Omanisation is concerned.  

“That is why I am optimistic about the new plan as there is great cooperation with the Ministry of Human Resources (present Ministry of Manpower) and the private sector.  

“For e.g., the government wants to have a certain percentage of Omanisation in a particular sector. Immediately, the government discusses this aspect with the private sector and chart out a unified policy which is conducive to market reality. In short, I would call it a fruitful partnership because it is for the same cause. Today, the government and the private sector agree on aspects of Omanisation and implement the policies together,” Al Khonji noted.  

“So, I would call it the most impressive phase of Omanisation,” he added.  

So, which are the areas where the Omanisation process is still meeting obstacles?  

“The obstacles are in the speeding up and implementing of these orders. There is a need to constantly follow this up.  

“One of the main obstacles faced is the labour force statistics which is available with the Ministry of Human Resources (Ministry of Manpower). The numbers are not realistic because there is a major problem here.  

“There is still a need to change the professions of many expatriates who will be doing another job which is contrary to the labour card that he possesses. This has to be changed and it has not started yet. It is difficult to embark on any new Omanisation process without proper statistics.  

“I also feel that the government should be more flexible with the private sector. Because this will ultimately help revive the economy of the country. If the economy is revived, this itself would help bring more Omanis on the job front; so the only way is to revive the economy and the economy will not revive without the labour force. That is why I am asking the government — all the ministries — to be more practical with the real private sector so the economy is revived again; to ease up the obstacles. Because it is easy to say no, but that word ‘no’ will put up a lot of obstacles in the way of reviving the economy.

 “The most important thing to look into is how to revitalise the economy and how can that be done without labour force. We are getting the same complaints from the private sector in this regard. The private sector is willing to Omanise as much as it can. So, their requests should also be met,” Al Khonji said.  

New Omanisation measures  

The Sultanate is planning to Omanise 24 professions in four years as part of the Sixth Five-Year Plan.  

Oman will be Omanising 16 professions in the first stage, and eight in the second.  

It is envisaged that this will be achieved in a space of four years.  

The 16 professions that will be gradually Omanised in this period are: Grocery shops, vegetable shops, electrical shops, gifts shops, watch (repair) shops, readymade clothes shops, flower shops, delivery vans, petrol pumps, car-washing units, Internet cafés, photo studios, fish (selling) shops, meat shops, chicken shops, electrical repair, and tyre puncture centres.  

The second stage will see the Omanising of more technical jobs like these eight professions: electricians, fridge repairing shops, painters, upholstery repair, carpentry, steel fabrication, plumbing and goldsmiths.  

This will be implemented by the Ministry of Manpower.  

This year itself the ministry will begin Omanising the grocery shops, vegetable and fruit shops, fish, meat and chicken stalls, delivery vans in cooperation with the Muscat Municipality , Dhofar Municipality and other municipalities.  

The grocery shops will see 50 per cent Omanisation as a start in the first stage and it will be fully Omanised in the second stage.  

Next year, they will evaluate what they have done in the previous year and will continue on the same lines.  

According to sources, nine sectors have been identified, which the government hopes to achieve the set percentage of Omanisation within four years, by 2005.  

Therefore, the agriculture and fisheries sector must see 35 per cent Omanisation; electrical, water and gas segment must have 75 per cent Omanisation; construction, 15 per cent; retail, wholesale and restaurants, 30 per cent; transport, storage and communications, 90 per cent; finance sector, along with real estate, 85 per cent; industry, 35 per cent; mining and marble, 85 per cent; others, personal assistants, etc., 10 per cent.  

The government would induct (rehabilitate) 2,000 young Omani graduates/students as computer programmers; 1,200 accountants; 7,000 sales executives; 15,000 engineering and other technical professions which will include related agencies like construction and petroleum industries; 1,200 storekeepers.  

Also, the standard of Omanisation will be given top priority when offering government tenders.

 The government will be enforcing Omanisation percentages to different sectors and will pay the cost difference, or rather they will bear the difference (ensued following the induction of Omanis as opposed to expatriates) between the expatriate and Omani labour. For e.g., if a private sector company is building a hotel and the government says take 35 per cent Omanis, the contractor will say in return that it is difficult for them as the cost of that would amount to RO1million. But, here, the government will be willing to bear the one million.  

The best outcome of the Saham and Ibri Omanisation symposium was the speeding up of the Labour Law, which is expected to be issued sometime this year. Also, the other great aspect is the fact that the government’s agreement that the private sector should review the Labour Law before it is enforced.

 The Businessmen’s Council has discussed and reviewed the labour law with the Minister of Manpower.

 Sanad Fund  

The Sanad Fund will greatly help the Omanisation process. It will help the Omani entrepreneurs who can work independently with the aid of the Sanad Fund.  

The fund will finance up to RO5,000 for small entrepreneurs, who will, therefore, have no obstacles to enter into small businesses like before.  

For e.g., if a grocery shop has to be Omanised, the owner can seek the assistance of the Sanad Fund, if his intentions are to have to full Omanisation of the shop. In other words, if an Omani wants to benefit from the Sanad Fund, he/she will have to completely replace expatriates with Omanis.  

Eight Sanad Fund offices will be opened in Oman , with its main office in Muscat . These fund offices will receive applications, study and evaluate it and then help the applicants accordingly.  

There will also be separate social funds which are for those Omanis who wish to operate offices or small-scale activities, within the confines of their homes. This fund will be managed by the Ministry of Social Development. Currently, the government has allocated a sum of RO2 million to the Sanad Fund, while the social fund will begin with half a million.