Policy Overview

Oman, through the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, aims to increase Omanization in the transport and logistics sector by restricting certain jobs exclusively to Omani citizens and prohibiting expatriates from practicing them.

Objectives

• Enhance Omanization: Replace expatriate workers with qualified Omani professionals in targeted roles.
• Achieve self-sufficiency: Enable Omani youth to occupy specialized positions in the sector.
• Improve service quality: Enhance operational efficiency through training and development of national workforce.
• Support the local economy: Reduce dependency on foreign labor and increase national participation.

Targeted Professions

22 specific professions in transport and logistics will be gradually Omanized by 2027, including:

• Maritime: Marine observer, vessel traffic controller, pilot.
• Aviation: Navigation and engineering shift officers.
• Land transport: Forklift driver, cargo handler, quality controller, quality manager, freight coordinator, travel agent, marketing specialist, new vehicle salesperson.
• Administrative/technical: Commercial intermediary, labor supervisor, loading/unloading supervisor, quality officer.

The Omanization requirement is expected to start from September 1, 2025.

 Omanization Targets

• Initial Omanization rates in the sector will range 20%–50% starting in 2025, gradually increasing annually until reaching 100% by 2030.

Implementation Timeline

• September 2024: Begin Omanization of 14 professions.
• January 2025: Omanize two additional professions.
• September 2025: Mandatory professional license required for all workers in the targeted professions.
• 2027: Full Omanization of all targeted professions.

Professional Licensing Requirements

• Mandatory license: All workers (Omani and expatriate) in the targeted professions must obtain a professional license via the official platform.
• Permit restrictions: Work permits will no longer be issued or renewed for expatriates in these professions after the deadline.

Role of Oman Logistics Center

The Oman Logistics Center oversees the implementation of Oman’s 2040 Logistics Strategy and works on:

• Policy enforcement: Monitoring and ensuring Omanization policies are applied.
• Infrastructure development: Improving logistics infrastructure such as ports and airports.
• Coordination: Working with the Ministry of Labor and other relevant authorities to ensure effective policy execution.

Results and Expectations

• Current Omanization rate: 21% in Q1 2025.
• Targeted employment: 1,450 Omanis employed in the sector during the same period.
• 2025 forecast: Aim to employ 4,950 Omanis in the transport and logistics sector by year-end.