MANILA — The Sultanate of Oman has suspended for six months the issuance of visas to foreign workers in 10 employment sectors covering 87 skills and professions, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) announced on Tuesday.
In a statement, the agency said Oman’s Ministry of Manpower (MoM) has issued Ministerial Decision 38/2018 last Jan. 24, suspending the authorization to hire foreign workers in connection with its nationalization policy in the private sector to provide 25,000 jobs to Omani citizens.
With this, the MoM will not process work visas for the listed positions until July 24 as the Omani government assesses the impact of the policy on its citizens and possible benefits to the economy within suspension period.
But, it noted that visas issued before January 24, 2018, will remain valid until its expiration.
The sectors and jobs affected by visa suspension are:
Information and Technology: Information Security Specialist, Geographic Information System Specialist, Electronic Computer Networks, Programmed Machines Maintenance – Electronic, Electronic Calculator Maintenance, Graphic Designer, Electronic Surveillance – Equipment Assembly, Electronics Technician – Telecom, Electronics Technician – Control Instrument, Electronic Technician – Medical Equipment, Electronics Technician Broadcast, Electronic Technician – Programmed Machines, Electronic Technician – Computer Networks, Computer Programmer, Computer Engineer, and Computer Operator.
Accounting and Finance: Bank Notes and Money Changer, Bank Notes Technician, Account Auditing Technician, General Accounting Technician, Cost Account Technician, Costs Accountant, and Insurance Collector.
Marketing and Sales: Sales Specialist, Storekeeper, Commercial Agent, Commercial Manager, and Procurement Logistics Specialist.
Administration and Human Resources: Business Administration Specialist, Public Relation Specialist, Human Resources Specialist, Administrative Director.
Insurance Industry: Insurance Agent General, Real Estate Insurance Agent, Cargo Insurance Agent, Life Insurance Agent, Vehicle Insurance Agent, Factory Insurance Agent.
Information and Media: Media Specialist, Page Maker, Paper Pulp Machine Operator, Bookbinding Machine Operator, Decorative Books Operator, Calendar Operator, Paper Dyeing Machine Operators, Bill Printing Machine Operator, Cylinder Press Operator, Rotating Press Operator, Offset Printing Machine Operator, Color Press Operator, Paleographic Press Operator, Paper Folder Machine Operator, Paper Coating Machine Operator, and Advertising Agent.
Medical Practice: Male Nurse, Pharmacy Assistant, and Medical Coordinator.
Airport Operations: Aviation Guiding Officer, Ground Steward, Ticket Controller, Airplane Takeoff Supervisor, Air Traffic Controller, Aircraft Landing Supervisor, Passenger Transport Supervisor, and Land Guide.
Engineering: Architect, General Survey Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electronic Engineer, Electronics Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Projects Engineers.
Technical: Building Technician/Building Controller, Electronic Technician, Road Technician/Road Controller, Mechanical Technician, Soil Mechanics Laboratory Technician, Steam Turbine Technician, Construction materials lab technician, Gas Network Extension Technician, Construction Technician, Transformer Technician, Station Technician, Electrical Technician, Heat Operations Technician, Maintenance Technician, and Chemical Technician.
On the other hand, establishments registered with the Oman Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (RIYADA) and those insured with the Public Authority for Social Insurance (OASI) are exempted from the temporary ban. (PNA)
