Ministry to track remittances sent by expat workers in Oman

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Muscat - A special committee has also been set up to crack down on foreign workers working illegally.

By Web Report

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Published: Fri 18 Oct 2019, 12:08 PM

Last updated: Fri 18 Oct 2019, 3:05 PM

To cut down the number of illegal remittances, Oman has set up a special committee to track down money sent back home by foreign workers living in the country illegally.
The special committee, which has been set up by Ministry of Manpower and the Central Bank of Oman, to crack down on foreign workers working illegally as well as employers who aide expats in working illegally.
According to reports in Times of Oman, these workers transfer money either through friends or extended members of their families who also stay in the country. 
"The illegal workers get help from either their friends or citizens, who in turn send money to their family back home under their names. This way of remitting money is illegal and makes it hard to track them," said Salim Al Badi, Director General of Labour Welfare at the Ministry of Manpower said. Adding that the the special committee formed will deal with illegal remittances.
Speaking to Oman TV Al Badi said that violations of the country's labour laws were among the main reasons behind the arrests of those expats who were held by the authorities. "The majority of expats who are arrested for breaching labour laws are absconding workers. Close to 51.3 per cent of those detained had left their place of employment, accounting for 12,524 of the arrested. Another 8,509 were laid-off, and 3,363 entered the country on tourist and visit visas and worked in the Sultanate illegally," said Al Badi. 
Beginning this year until September, 1,009 absconding workers have been arrested, Al Badi added. He cited companies hiring absconding workers to be one of the reasons for illegal remittance. "Some Omani sponsors allow their expat workers to go work in other jobs, which violates the labour law of the country. Unfortunately, this is a reason that leads to the issue of absconding workers, and citizens must cooperate with the ministry in this regard," explained Al Badi.
Such companies or employers will be handed a fine of OMR 1,000, in addition to covering the costs of the air ticket required to send the expats back to their home countries. While agencies who use illegal methods to hire expats will also face punishments.


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