In tandem with the enactment of a new Social Protection Law (see this Global News Brief Oman: Major social security reform extends benefits to expats), Oman has issued a new Labor Law (Decree No. 53 of 2023), the primary legislation establishing terms and conditions for employment in the private sector. Among other things, the law increases employer-paid sick leave and maternity leave and introduces new employer-paid paternity leave.
Among its many significant changes, the new law:
The law is effective July 31, 2023, but employers have been given a grace period until January 31, 2024, to bring their policies and practices into compliance. Employers should review the changes and adapt their employment policies and practices to ensure compliance; however, the changes are sweeping — covering a variety of other topics such as dismissal, employment contracts, performance appraisals and work rules — and implementing regulations for this law and the Social Protection Law are still pending, so any such review is likely to be prolonged.