Labor & Employment Law in Oman

Labor and employment work in Oman

The firm covers Oman matters in cooperation with a partner office in the Sultanate of Oman. That partner office is not a branch owned by the firm, and the firm does not itself hold an Oman law practice license; local licensing and representation are assessed for each matter in the Sultanate. We advise on Omani employment matters: employment contracts, probation, notice and termination, end-of-service entitlements and workplace rules, including reviewing existing contracts against the current law.

The Omani labor law framework

Oman's Labour Law was promulgated by Royal Decree No. 53/2023, published in Official Gazette No. 1504 on 30 July 2023 and in force from the following day. It repealed the previous Labour Law (Royal Decree No. 35/2003). The Ministry of Labour is the competent ministry, and the Minister issues the implementing regulations and decisions; earlier decisions stay in force only to the extent they do not conflict with the new law.

Contracts, transition and disputes

The decree gave those covered by the law six months from its entry into force to rectify their status, so that period ended in January 2024 and contracts and staff rules now have to match the 2023 law. Article 116 provides for committees to settle collective labor disputes. How an individual claim proceeds is assessed with the partner office.

Working with us

An employer that has not revisited its contract template since 2023 is the usual starting point for this work. For a dispute that is already running, see our dispute resolution practice, read the General Commercial & Corporate overview, or contact our team.

MENA coordination

The firm was founded in Kuwait in 1986 and has a branch in Cairo. It covers MENA matters in cooperation with partner offices in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, and partner offices in Turkey and the United States. Those partner offices are not branches owned by the firm; local licensing and advice are assessed in the relevant jurisdiction.

This page is general information, not advice for a particular entity or transaction.

Frequently asked questions

Which law governs employment in Oman?

The Labour Law promulgated by Royal Decree No. 53/2023, published on 30 July 2023, which repealed the earlier Labour Law of Royal Decree No. 35/2003.

What does Article 116 of the Omani Labour Law cover?

It provides for the committees that settle collective labor disputes.

Does the firm have an office in Oman?

The firm covers Oman matters in cooperation with a partner office in the Sultanate of Oman. That partner office is not a branch owned by the firm, and the firm does not itself hold an Oman law practice license; local licensing and representation are assessed for each matter in the Sultanate.

Other markets

Corporate & Commercial Law in Oman · Labor & Employment Law in Egypt · Labor & Employment Law in Saudi Arabia · Labor & Employment Law in the UAE · Labor & Employment Law in Qatar · Labor & Employment Law in Bahrain