​Commission releases human rights handbook for workers

A handbook on human rights has been issued for foreign workers following complaints received by the Oman Human Rights Commission (OHRC), the Times of Oman reported.

The guide, published in Arabic and English, outlines the various ways that complaints made by workers against their employers can be resolved.

"The OHRC received and monitored a number of labour cases related to the non-Omani labour force in recent times," an Oman Human Rights Commission spokesman told the Times of Oman.

"Most of these cases involved domestic workers and other labour issues relating to salaries, adequate housing, and other rights.

"To raise awareness of the rights and duties of non-Omani workers, the committee has initiated the publication of a manual containing a compilation of local laws and legislation relating to the rights and duties of non-Omani workers and domestic workers, and the mechanism for making complaints about irregularities to various parties."

The guide states that labour syndicates and trade unions be involved in helping to resolve disputes, if discussions between the worker and employer break down.

The manual also notes if the worker, especially domestic workers, were engaged to work in Oman through a recruitment agency, then the agency is responsible for settling most disputes during the first six months of employment.

In situations where people have been brought into the country illegally through human trafficking, or are forced to keep working beyond the terms of their employment contract, the handbook advises people to approach the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking.

Date: 11 January 2018

Source: Times of Oman