Oman Labour Law Guide: Working Hours, Annual Leave, Sick Leave and Maternity Rights
Oman's Labour Law (Royal Decree 53/2023) sets a 40-hour week, 30 days' annual leave, up to 182 days of sick leave, 98 days' maternity leave and 7 days' paternity leave. Key rights explained.
Oman| Country | Oman |
|---|---|
| Organization | Oman (Royal Decree 53/2023) |
| Official source | British Omani Society – Oman's Labour Law, with reporting on annual leave by ARY News ✓ britishomani.org |
Oman's current Labour Law, issued by Royal Decree 53/2023 on 31 July 2023, replaced the old 2003 law. It applies to private sector workers, including expats. Here are the rights that matter most.
Working hours
- 8 hours a day, and no more than 40 hours a week. The old law allowed 9 hours a day.
- Ramadan hours stayed the same as under the previous rules.
Annual leave
| Rule | What the law says |
|---|---|
| Entitlement | At least 30 days of paid leave a year |
| When it starts | After 6 months of continuous service |
| Carry-over | Up to 30 days into the next year |
| Long break | At least one 30-day uninterrupted break every 2 years |
| Air ticket | Non-Omani workers get a return ticket home for their leave |
| Unused leave on exit | Paid on your full wage, not just basic |
Your employer can postpone your leave by up to six months for business needs. You cannot give up your legal leave.
Sick leave
Paid sick leave can last up to 182 days:
| Days of sickness | Pay |
|---|---|
| Days 1 to 21 | 100% |
| Days 22 to 35 | 75% |
| Days 36 to 70 | 50% |
| Days 71 to 182 | 35% |
Family leave
- Maternity: 98 days paid, up from 50 under the old law.
- Childcare: up to one year unpaid, if requested.
- Nursing: a one-hour daily break after returning to work.
- Paternity: 7 days paid, to be taken within 98 days of the birth.
If your job is ending
- During your notice period, you get 10 paid hours a week to look for a new job.
- If you are not paid for two months in a row, you can end the contract without notice.
Omanisation
Employers must meet Omanisation quotas, and some jobs are reserved for Omanis. A non-Omani worker can lawfully be replaced by an Omani in the same role. Work visas remain available where there are skills gaps.
Tips
- Keep your contract and payslips safe.
- Raise wage problems with Oman's Ministry of Labour.
Apply only through the official source.
Open official notice →TheJobSeek never charges for jobs and is not a recruitment agency. If anyone asks you to pay for a job offer or visa in the name of this article, it is a scam.
