Dhaka:The Social Protection Fund, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), has initiated the first of a series of social dialogues aimed at enhancing social insurance programs for non-Omani workers. Representatives from diplomatic missions, the Ministry of Labour, and the Foreign Ministry participated in the session.
According to Oman News Agency, this initiative seeks to improve knowledge about the development of the social protection system in Oman and foster coordination among institutions supporting non-Omani workers. The goal is to hold periodic meetings to exchange information and experiences, thereby bridging the gap between legal stipulations and the actual experiences of non-Omani workers. This will help in identifying practical measures to effectively utilize the social protection system.
Non-Omani workers form a significant portion of Oman's workforce. With the ongoing improvements to the social protection system, it becomes crucial to provide clear guidelines and ensure effective coordination to enable these workers to benefit from the available protections.
The session featured an introductory presentation on the social protection system for non-Omani workers, followed by a discussion on the experiences of diplomatic missions. This dialogue offered an opportunity for open and constructive exchanges on common inquiries, administrative challenges, and policy-related obstacles faced by diplomatic missions in assisting non-Omani workers.
Diplomatic missions play a key role in connecting workers with relevant institutions, using their direct experience to monitor challenges such as understanding eligibility conditions and completing procedures. By collectively discussing these experiences, the dialogue aims to identify recurring challenges and inform improvements to benefit a wider range of non-Omani workers.
The outcomes of these dialogues will support the Social Protection Fund and related institutions in implementing continuous improvements. The initiative also aims to differentiate between challenges that can be addressed through better information or coordination and those requiring procedural changes or policy-level solutions.
The International Labour Organization supports the development of Oman's social protection system through technical cooperation and international labor standards. The ILO's "STREAM" program underpins these dialogues, aiming to extend social protection to non-Omani workers and their families along migration corridors. The ILO will provide technical support, facilitate dialogues, and assist in documenting challenges and follow-up actions.
This phase includes quarterly sessions with technical presentations, discussions, and Q&A sessions, supported by reference documents and technical briefings. The long-term vision is to establish a sustainable dialogue and coordination platform led by the Social Protection Fund, building on the results and consensus among partners.
