Maternity leave in Oman has been almost doubled in sweeping reforms announced by the country's government.
Previously, paid maternity leave could last up to 50 days but that figure has been increased to 98.
Other changes include the introduction of seven days' paid paternity leave, when previously there was none.
Under the new laws, there is also an entitlement of 14 days of paid bereavement leave in the event that the husband of a non-Muslim worker passes away.
Employers and workers have welcomed the changes.
“I am optimistic about the recent changes in Oman's labour law,” said Mohammed Al Rahbi, an Omani working in the oil and gas sector.
“The introduction of new rights for employees, such as maternity and paternity leave including non-Omanis, is a significant step forward for work-life balance."
The law also allows taking time off from work for reasons including study leave to sit examinations.
“The issued Social Protection Law and the Labour Law provide a comprehensive and balanced approach to regulating the labour market and providing social security," said Mohammed Al Farsi, legal associate at Decree, a start-up that specialises in providing access to a full-text English language database of all royal decrees and laws published in the Omani Official Gazette.
"Essentially, the Labour Law aims to safeguard workers' rights while creating a conducive environment for businesses to operate.”
Mr Al Farsi said the laws were part of an overhaul of previous legislation from 2003, covering areas such as contracts, wages, working hours and penalties for violations.
“Several key points in the new Labour Law could significantly impact the current labour landscape in Oman," he said.
“The law also deals with the special issue of indefinite contracts and appears to provide more flexibility to employers as it allows a contract up to five years to be considered a fixed contract.
"The law also provides a new mechanism for collective bargaining, and provides new grounds for terminating underperforming employees, which is a provision that did not exist in the previous Labour Law,” he added.
Significant effect on Omanisation
One of the key changes in the new Labour Law is the provision allowing companies to terminate the services of underperforming Omani employees.
“I believe that the new grounds for terminating employees under article 43 add a much-needed balance in the relationship between employer and employee," said Mr Al Farsi.
"Even though Omanisation is an extremely important principle in Omani law, employers certainly need to be able to terminate the service of underperforming Omani employees if needed.
"This should have a positive effect on the quality of hired Omani staff.”
Fatma Al Balushi, a small-business owner, expressed her support for the move.
“As an Omani employee, I believe this provision will encourage companies to maintain higher standards in their workforce," she said.
"It gives employers the flexibility to make necessary decisions while ensuring they prioritise qualitative Omanisation.
"This, in turn, will lead to more opportunities for deserving Omani employees, fostering our growth and development within the job market.”
Mr Al Rahbi is optimistic the rules could lead to a brighter future for Oman's labour market.
"These provisions show that the government cares about the well-being of the people in this country and is committed to promoting a fair and inclusive work environment," he said.
What to watch out for:
Algae, waste coffee grounds and orange peels will be used in the pavilion's walls and gangways
The hulls of three ships will be used for the roof
The hulls will painted to make the largest Italian tricolour in the country’s history
Several pillars more than 20 metres high will support the structure
Roughly 15 tonnes of steel will be used
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Company/date started: 2015
Founder/CEO: Mohammed Toraif
Based: Manama, Bahrain
Sector: Sales, Technology, Conservation
Size: (employees/revenue) 4/ 5,000 downloads
Stage: 1 ($100,000)
Investors: Two first-round investors including, 500 Startups, Fawaz Al Gosaibi Holding (Saudi Arabia)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
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Al Wasl 1 (Caio Canedo 90 1')
Al Ain 2 (Ismail Ahmed 3', Marcus Berg 50')
Red cards: Ismail Ahmed (Al Ain) 77'
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
