Child Labor and Forced Labor Reports
Oman
Moderate Advancement
In 2022, Oman made moderate advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking launched a new website in English and Arabic with information on how to report human trafficking crimes in 14 languages. Additionally, in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the government drafted a new law to address human trafficking. It also continued its prosecution of two foreign nationals suspected of exploiting a Pakistani child in commercial sexual exploitation under the Law to Combat Human Trafficking. Child labor is not visible in Oman, although a small number may work informally with their families, including in fishing and farming. Survey data are needed on the extent and nature of child labor to inform policies and programs.
Table 1 provides key indicators on children’s work and education in Oman. Data on some of these indicators are not available from the sources used in this report.
| Children | Age | Percent |
| Working (% and population) | 5 to 14 | Unavailable |
| Attending School (%) | 5 to 14 | Unavailable |
| Combining Work and School (%) | 7 to 14 | Unavailable |
| Primary Completion Rate (%) | 99.2 |
Source for primary completion rate: Data from 2021, published by UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2023. (1)
Source for all other data: Data were unavailable from ILO's analysis, 2023. (2)
Based on a review of available information, Table 2 provides an overview of children’s work by sector and activity.
| Sector/Industry | Activity |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | Farming, activities unknown (3) |
| Fishing, activities unknown (3) |
Oman has ratified all key international conventions concerning child labor (Table 3).
| Convention | Ratification |
| ILO C. 138, Minimum Age | ✓ |
| ILO C. 182, Worst Forms of Child Labor | ✓ |
| UN CRC | ✓ |
| UN CRC Optional Protocol on Armed Conflict | ✓ |
| UN CRC Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography | ✓ |
| Palermo Protocol on Trafficking in Persons | ✓ |
The government’s laws and regulations are in line with relevant international standards (Table 4).
| Standard | Meets International Standards | Age | Legislation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Age for Work | Yes | 15 | Articles 1, 8, and 75 of the Labor Law (4) |
| Minimum Age for Hazardous Work | Yes | 18 | Articles 45, 46, and 71 of the Child Law; Article 2 of Ministry of Manpower Order 217/2016 (5,6) |
| Identification of Hazardous Occupations or Activities Prohibited for Children | Yes | Article 5 of Ministry of Manpower Order 217/2016 (5) | |
| Prohibition of Forced Labor | Yes | Articles 1, 2, 8, and 9 of the Anti-Trafficking Law; Article 3 bis of the Labor Law (4,7) | |
| Prohibition of Child Trafficking | Yes | Articles 1, 2, 8, and 9 of the Anti-Trafficking Law (7) | |
| Prohibition of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children | Yes | Articles 1, 2, 8, and 9 of the Anti-Trafficking Law; Articles 254, 255, and 267 of the Penal Code (7,8) | |
| Prohibition of Using Children in Illicit Activities | Yes | Articles 58 and 74 of the Child Law; Article 43 of the Law on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (6,9) | |
| Minimum Age for Voluntary State Military Recruitment | Yes | 16 | Article 55 of the Child Law (6) |
| Prohibition of Compulsory Recruitment of Children by (State) Military | Yes* | Article 55 of the Child Law (6) | |
| Prohibition of Military Recruitment by Non-state Armed Groups | Yes | Articles 1(f), 55, and 72 of the Child Law (6) | |
| Compulsory Education Age | Yes | 15‡ | Article 36 of the Child Law (6,10) |
| Free Public Education | Yes | Article 13 of the Basic Law; Article 36 of the Child Law (6,11) |
* Country has no conscription (12)
‡ Age calculated based on available information (6,10)
In cooperation with UNODC, the government drafted and reviewed a new law to address human trafficking during the reporting period; enactment of the law is expected in 2023. (13)
The government has established relevant institutional mechanisms for the enforcement of laws and regulations on child labor (Table 5).
| Organization/Agency | Role & Activities |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Labor (MOL) | Monitors and enforces child labor laws, conducts labor inspections, and shares information with the Royal Oman Police on labor and criminal law violations when penalties are pursued. (14) According to the government, MOL conducts yearly inspections of all private institutions and re-inspections of workplaces found to be in violation of labor laws. Labor inspections are also conducted following a complaint. (14,15) If a violation is found, the institution is given a set period of time to address the problem. If an institution fails to address the violation, a fine may be levied. (14,15) MOL can refer cases of child labor to the Ministry of Social Development (MOSD) if the child is under the minimum age for work. MOL and MOSD can also coordinate with the Royal Oman Police to shelter child victims and refer suspected violators for criminal investigation. (14) In addition, the labor inspectorate has a specialized unit composed to two people to conduct inspections related to suspected human trafficking. The unit is charged with bringing indicators of trafficking to the ministry and transferring cases to the Public Prosecutor's Office for further investigation. (16) |
| Royal Oman Police | Monitor and enforce the Child Law, including its provisions related to child labor, and refer cases to the Office of the Public Prosecutor. (14) In 2022, the National Committee on Human Trafficking provided more than 20 trainings on preventing, identifying, reporting, investigating, and prosecuting human trafficking cases to police personnel and others in the government and private sector, including military attaches, airport security officers, labor inspectors, prosecutors, and hotel staff. (13) |
| Office of the Public Prosecutor | Investigates and prosecutes human trafficking and sexual exploitation cases with assistance from the Royal Oman Police. Maintains specialized interview rooms for child witnesses and assigns social workers to guide children through their interactions with the government. (16,17) During the reporting period, the government continued its prosecution of two foreign nationals suspected of exploiting a Pakistani child in prostitution under the Law to Combat Human Trafficking. |
Labor Law Enforcement
In 2022, the government’s labor law enforcement agencies appeared to function adequately in addressing child labor (Table 6).
| Overview of Labor Law Enforcement | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Labor Inspectorate Funding | Unknown (14) | Unknown |
| Number of Labor Inspectors | 282 (18) | Unknown |
| Mechanism to Assess Civil Penalties | Yes (4,5,19) | Yes (4,5,19) |
| Training for Labor Inspectors Provided | Yes (18) | Unknown |
| Number of Labor Inspections Conducted at Worksite | Unknown (14) | Unknown |
| Number of Child Labor Violations Found | Unknown (14) | Unknown |
| Number of Child Labor Violations for Which Penalties Were Imposed | Unknown (14) | Unknown |
| Number of Child Labor Penalties Imposed that Were Collected | Unknown (14) | Unknown |
| Routine Inspections Conducted | Yes (14) | Unknown |
| Routine Inspections Targeted | Yes (14) | Unknown |
| Unannounced Inspections Permitted | Yes (19) | Yes (19) |
| Unannounced Inspections Conducted | Yes (14) | Unknown |
| Complaint Mechanism Exists | Yes (14) | Yes (14) |
| Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Labor Authorities and Social Services | Yes (14) | Yes (14) |
In 2022, the Ministry of Labor carried out labor inspections, including in sectors where child labor may be found such as street vending. (20,21) Additionally, the government did not provide labor law enforcement data for inclusion in this report.
Criminal Law Enforcement
In 2022, the government’s criminal law enforcement agencies appeared to function adequately in addressing child labor (Table7).
| Overview of Criminal Law Enforcement | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Training for Criminal Investigators Provided | Yes (14) | Unknown |
| Number of Investigations | 2 (22,23) | Unknown |
| Number of Prosecutions Initiated | 2 (23,24) | Unknown |
| Number of Convictions | 2 (22,23) | Unknown |
| Imposed Penalties for Violations Related to the Worst Forms of Child Labor | Yes (23,24) | Unknown |
| Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Criminal Authorities and Social Services | Yes (14) | Yes |
During the reporting period, the government continued its prosecution of two foreign nationals suspected of exploiting a Pakistani child in prostitution under the Law to Combat Human Trafficking. (16) Additionally, the government did not publish criminal law enforcement data for inclusion in this report.
The government has established a key mechanism to coordinate its efforts to address child labor (Table 8).
| Coordinating Body | Role & Activities |
|---|---|
| National Child Protection Committee | Consists of representatives from MOSD, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, and the Royal Oman Police. Receives complaints and reports of child labor and investigates reported cases to determine whether children are engaged in prohibited activities or whether working has negative effects on their health or education. Also refers children who are victims of abuse, neglect, or other related issues to social services, and works with UNICEF on several projects related to child protection. (3) Active in 2022. (25) |
Oman additionally has a National Council on Combating Human trafficking (NCCHT), which consists of relevant government ministries, the Oman Human Rights Council, the Oman Chamber of Commerce, and the General Federation of Oman Workers. The NCCHT oversees the implementation of the National Action Plan for Combating Human Trafficking. (26)
The government has established policies that are consistent with relevant international standards on child labor (Table 9).
| Policy | Description & Activities |
|---|---|
| National Action Plan for Combating Human Trafficking (2021–2023) | Aims to educate stakeholders on their rights and responsibilities, trains authorities on addressing human trafficking, coordinates government services for survivors, and develops new policies and best practices. In 2022, the government held events and trainings on human trafficking issues throughout the country. (27) |
In 2022, the government funded and participated in programs that include the goal of preventing child labor (Table 10).
| Program | Description & Activities |
|---|---|
| Social Security Cash Transfer Program† | Provides assistance to children in low-income families, including educational services. (14) Annual benefits under the program exceed $278 million. In 2022, 73,790 individuals benefited from the program, including 2,300 orphans and 59,030 students. (25) |
| Dar al-Wifaq Shelter† | MOSD operates a shelter, Dar al Wifaq, for women and child victims of human trafficking; 15 of the shelter's beds are allocated for children. The shelter provides a number of services for victims of human trafficking that include psychological counseling, health care, and pro bono legal advocacy through the Lawyers Association. (13) In 2022, the shelter accommodated several child trafficking victims from Pakistan and Yemen. (13) |
For information about USDOL’s projects to address child labor around the world, visit https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/ilab-project-page-search
† Program is funded by the Government of Oman.
Based on the reporting above, suggested actions are identified that would advance the elimination of child labor in Oman (Table 11).
| Area | Suggested Action | Year(s) Suggested |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement | Collect and publish data on labor and criminal law enforcement efforts taken to address child labor. | 2013 – 2022 |
| Social Programs | Collect and publish data on the extent and nature of child labor to inform policies and programs. | 2017 – 2022 |
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, both sexes (%). Accessed March 3, 2023. For more information, please see “Children’s Work and Education Statistics: Sources and Definitions” in the Reference Materials section of this report.
http://data.uis.unesco.org/ - ILO. Analysis of Child Economic Activity and School Attendance Statistics from National Household or Child Labor Surveys. Analysis received March 2023. For more information, please see “Children’s Work and Education Statistics: Sources and Definitions” in the Reference Materials section of this report.
- U.S. Embassy- Muscat. Reporting. February 21, 2021.
- Government of Oman. Royal Decree No. 35/2003 Issuing the Labour Law. Enacted: April 26, 2003.
http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/67540/84139/F1719028671/OMN67540.pdf - Government of Oman. Ministry of Manpower, Order 217/2016. Enacted: July 4, 2016.
http://data.qanoon.om/ar/md/momp/2016-0217.pdf - Government of Oman. Royal Decree Number 22/2014 Issuing the Child's Law. Enacted: May 19, 2014. Source on file.
- Government of Oman. Royal Decree No 126/2008 Anti-Trafficking Law. Enacted: November 23, 2008.
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/81766/92282/F1786958440/OMN81766 2.pdf - Government of Oman. Royal Decree No. 7 of 2018 promulgating the Penal Code. Official Gazette No. 1226. January 11, 2018. Source on file.
- Government of Oman. Law on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, promulgated by Royal Decree 17 of 1999, as amended by Royal Decree 34 of 2015. October 5, 2015. Source on file.
- UNESCO. Oman: Education and Literacy. Accessed: July 6, 2021.
http://uis.unesco.org/en/country/om - Government of Oman. Sultani Decree No. 101/96 Promulgating the Basic Statute of the State. Enacted: November 6, 1996.
http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/details.jsp?id=6118 - U.S. Embassy- Muscat. Reporting. January 16, 2018.
- U.S. Embassy- Muscat. Reporting. March 30, 2023.
- U.S. Embassy- Muscat. Reporting. January 13, 2022.
- Al Muqhasi, Sheikha. Follow labour law or face the consequences. Times of Oman, September 21, 2019.
https://timesofoman.com/article/1955179/Oman/Follow-labour-law-or-face-the-consequences- - U.S. Department of Labor. U.S. Official Research. October, 2022. Source on file.
- Sultanate of Oman National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking. National Plan for Combating Human Trafficking. Muscat, September 2009. Source on file.
- U.S. Embassy- Muscat official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. March 20, 2022.
- Ministry of Manpower. Guide to Labor Inspection. Source on file.
- Muscat Daily. Municipality cracks whip on street vendors in Seeb. December 25, 2022.
https://www.muscatdaily.com/2022/12/25/muscat-municipality-carried-out-an-inspection-campaign-to-curb-street-vending-activities-in-the-wilayat-of-seeb-on-the-weekend/ - Shuoon. “العمل”: تنفيذ حملات تفتيش لمواقع عمل في شمال الشرقية. September 11, 2022.
https://shuoon.om/?p=135978 - U.S. Embassy- Muscat. Reporting. March 20, 2022.
- U.S. Embassy- Muscat official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. May 24, 2022.
- U.S. Embassy- Muscat. Reporting. April 13, 2022.
- U.S. Embassy- Muscat. Reporting. June 22, 2023.
- U.S. Department of State. Trafficking in Persons Report- 2022: Oman. Washington, D.C., July 1, 2022.
https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-trafficking-in-persons-report/Oman/ - Government of Oman. National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking 2021-2023.
https://nccht.om/wp-content/uploads/National-Action-Plan-to-Combat-Human-Trafficking-English.pdf
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