Oman to curb foreign workers, lift minimum wage for locals

DUBAI (REUTERS) - Oman's government will limit the number of foreign workers and sharply raise the minimum wage for locals in a drive to increase employment of Omani citizens, state news agency ONA reported.

A statement by the Council of Ministers, carried by ONA and seen by Reuters on Thursday, said the government would aim to limit foreign workers to 33 per cent of Oman's total population.

The minimum monthly wage for Omanis in the private sector will jump to 325 rials (S$1,046) this July from the current 200 rials, ONA quoted the council as saying.

Despite its oil wealth, the government is keen to move more Omanis into private employment to avert social unrest and prepare the economy for an eventual fall in oil reserves, which could start later this decade.