Islamabad, Aug 14, 2025: The Oman Ministry of Labour (MOL) has introduced new Wage Protection System (WPS) rules under Ministerial Resolution No. 729/2024 to improve transparency in salary payments and protect workers’ rights.
The decision, published in the Official Gazette on 15 December 2024, requires employers to follow phased targets for paying staff through the WPS.
From September 2025 wages (paid in October), companies must ensure at least 75% of their staff receive salaries via WPS. This will increase to 90% for November 2025 wages (paid in December). Employers failing to comply may face financial penalties.
The WPS, created under Royal Decree No. 53/2023, tracks electronic wage transfers in the private sector and ensures payments are made through banks or financial institutions approved by the Central Bank of Oman.
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Key changes in the updated regulations include faster wage payment timelines, wider exemption categories, and stronger ministry monitoring. Exemptions cover cases such as labour disputes lasting over 30 days, work stoppages beyond the employer’s control, approved absconding cases after 30 days, new hires who have not completed a month of work, and staff on unpaid leave.
The ministry stressed that timely salary payments are vital for fair labour practices and advised businesses to prepare early for the deadlines. As of June 2025, the National Centre for Statistics and Information recorded 864,600 Omani workers across all sectors.
