Times of Oman - October 4, 2015

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FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

Opening of 16 Summit of the Arab GCC States 24 December 1995

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ The facts themselves demonstrate that proper foundations of security, stability and prosperity can most fruitfully be laid through the pursuit of a policy moderate in international relations and total credibility in one’s dealings with others.

SUNDAY, October 4, 2015 / 20 Dhul Hijja 1436 AH

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Expats hopeful of visa ban reversal Denying any changes in the two-year visa TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

Air India makes travel from Mumbai easier

1

Passengers travelling to Indian destinations from Muscat via Mumbai on Air India will no longer need to shift to other Mumbai airport. >A2

OMAN

Oman for dialogue to resolve disputes

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Oman has reaffirmed that it has adopted peace and dialogue as the principles since the dawn of the Blessed Renaissance . >A3

MARKET

Oman ranked 62nd in major global survey

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Oman was ranked 62nd among 140 global economies in terms of competitiveness. >B1

We will make it clear to the departments concerned that expats may be allowed to change their jobs if they have completed their contract without curbs Said bin Naser Al Sadi

ban rule, an ROP official said they would continue to follow the old rules unless they receive any update on the lifting of restrictions REJIMON K/FAHAD AL GHADANI

reji@timesofoman.com fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: There is hope for expatriates as a top official from the Ministry of Manpower has clarified that they are looking at a possible change in the two-year visa ban. “We will make it clear to the departments concerned that expatriate employees may be allowed to change their jobs if they have completed their contract without restrictions,” Said bin Naser Al Sadi, advisor to the minister of manpower, told the Times of Oman. “If an expatriate employee completes his contract, he will be free to decide whether he wants to continue with the same employer or move to another com-

Advisor to the Minister of Manpower pany,” said the advisor, adding that there will be an issue only when the employee quits without honouring the contract. Last year, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) announced that no employment visa would be issued after July 1, 2014, to any expatriate who has worked previously in the Sultanate and has not completed two years from the date of last departure. However, those possessing a no-objection certificate (NOC) from their existing employers were allowed to return to Oman to join their new employers. This year in June, talks aimed at changing the two-year visa ban affecting expatriates wanting to change jobs without an NOC were also held between the Oman Chamber of Commerce MINISTRY OF MANPOWER

Illegal workers to face action after end of amnesty REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com

Omar, Alkhatab win gold for Oman

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MUSCAT: Once the amnesty period ends, the ministry will take legal action against those found guilty of violating labour laws, a senior official from the Ministry of Manpower, said. “Undocumented and overstaying workers should come forward to make use of the amnesty before it ends. If somebody is caught violating the rules after the amnesty period, they will face strict action,” Salem Said Al Badi, directorate general of labour welfare at the Ministry of Manpower, told the Times of Oman. The amnesty period, which began on May 3, has been extended until October 28. The period was extended to provide more time to undocumented workers, who had overstayed their visa, to make use of the amnesty scheme, and exit Oman. >A6

S TA M P E D E

Missing Omani pilgrim’s body found, laid to rest in Saudi REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: An Omani pilgrim, who went missing in the Haj stampede, is dead and his body has been laid to rest in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said a top official from the Oman Haj mission. “Anwar bin Salim Al Sinani, an Omani pilgrim who was missing following the Haj stampede in Mecca, is dead. His body has been buried in Saudi Arabia,” Sheikh Sultan Al Hinai, the deputy head of Oman Haj mission, told the Times of Oman. Oman Haj Mission chief Sheikh Isa bin Yousef Al Busaidi has also confirmed the news of his death. At around 5:15pm, the Ministry

him in the hope that they could still find him alive. His family had stayed in Mecca, verifying the bodies and looking for him among the injured. According to Al Sinani’s relatives, he was accompanying his sister for the stoning ritual when he went missing. “In the melee that followed the stampede, he might have got separated from his sister,” the relative had told the Times of Oman. Late Anwar bin Salim Al Sinani Al Sinani had gone to perform Haj with his mother and sister. His brother Saeed, along with of Awqaf and Religious Affairs tweeted on its official Twitter his relatives were in Saudi Arabia, along with the Omani Haj handle that Al Sinani was dead. Following the stampede, his Mission officials, who were still family was continuing search for searching for him. >A6

and Industry (OCCI), Oman’s Trade Union and the Ministry of Manpower, in which some called for reducing the ban to one year. Following the advisor’s comment, when the Times of Oman contacted the ROP official, he said they would continue to follow the old rule. “There is nothing new in the two-year ban rule, and the immigration department still insists on an NOC when an expatriate wishes to change jobs,” said the ROP official, adding that they had not received any update from any authority regarding the lifting of the ban. “We still demand the letter from the first employer as the system does not accept any change of employer for an expatriate employee unless he pro-

vides the NOC,” said the official. Meanwhile, an official from the OCCI said that they have to look into the advisor’s proposal in detail. “We have to look into the proposal, discuss it and then devise a solution. We cannot comment on this now. The ban was put in place to stop wrong practices,” said Ahmed Al Hooti, the OCCI official. A top official of a construction company welcomed the advisor’s initiatives to lift the twoyear visa ban. “Lifting the ban will ease the problems we are facing in the labour market. The paucity of skilled workers is affecting us. Skilled workers from Asian countries are not willing to come to Oman due to the visa ban and other restrictions, and the market has been affected,” said the official.

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INSPIRING LEADER ON THE DAY of his accession on July 23, 1970, and during his first speech to his people, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said promised, “I will proceed as quickly as possible to transform your life into a prosperous one with a bright future.” Today’s Oman is a testament to this promise. Empowered and enriched by his inspiring leadership, the Sultanate has witnessed the most spectacular growth and development in the past four decades, led from the front by His Majesty. The transformation has turned the country into a modern and advanced nation at a remarkable pace. Whatever the challenges, the nation under His Majesty’s guidance has been able to take the path to glory. Since 1970, His Majesty has shared his wise thoughts through speeches delivered on different occasions. His speeches have been empowering and inspiring. That’s why they have remained in the minds and hearts of those who heard him. A visionary, who is years ahead of his time, His Majesty’s insightful words will remain ever relevant. So starting from today, Times of Oman will share inspiring quotes from His Majesty’s speeches. We are certain it will inspire and motivate change.

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