Oman has banned expats from working in more than 200 professions in the Sultanate as part of its ongoing efforts to boost Omanisation.
The Ministry of Labour on Sunday issued decision No 235/2022, reserving the practice of 207 professions exclusively for Omani citizens.
Professions including bus drivers, grocery store vendors, watchmen and several other blue-collar jobs are now banned for expats under the new decision.
The decision, which will be published in the Official Gazette, will take effect the following day.
The ministry had earlier (2018) banned expats in 87 professions spread across nearly 10 sectors.
Following is a partial list of professions Omanised under the new decision:
1. Administrative manager
2. Director/manager of staff affairs
3. Human resources manager
4. Public relations manger
5. Manager of the CEO's office
6. Recruitment manager
7. Follow-up manager
8. Security supervisor
9. Director for students affairs
10. Career guidance manger
11. Coordinator
12. Data entry
13. Street vendors
14. Grocer
15. Sweets seller
16. Refreshments seller
17. Perfumer
18. Tellers
19. Postman
20. Watchman
21. Gateman
22. Gas seller
23. Farm tractor driver
24. Gas meter reader
25. Operators
26. Manager and deputy managers
27. HR and recruitment specialists
28. Librarian
29. Store supervisors
30. Water and electricity meter readers
31. Travel ticket officers
32. Delivery agents
33. Security guards
34. Bus drivers
35. Public car drivers (transport)
36. Head of departments and trade unions
37. Psychology/social specialists
38. Legal clerk
39. Payroll and wage accountants
40. Insurance, reinsurance and risk insurance specialists
41. Occupational safety inspector for oil and gas
42. Public relations writer
43. Tourist reservation clerk
44. Tour guide
45. Ticket clerk
46. Shipping services clerk
47. Flight operations inspectors
48. Car rental clerks
49. Transport supervisors
50. Freight risk insurance
51. Real estate insurance
52. Auto insurance, factories insurance and customs clearance brokers
53. Salesmen in commercial complexes
54. Vegetable and fruits seller
55. Drivers of refrigerated trucks, ambulances, fire trucks, water trucks, gas trucks, scrap trucks and drivers of all vehicles.