Oman advisory highlights key leave rights for Pakistani Overseas workers

ISLAMABAD: The Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment Pakistan has issued an advisory outlining the labour laws for Pakistanis and other overseas employees working in Oman.

According to the advisory, employees in Oman are legally entitled to a minimum of 30 days of paid annual leave after completing six months of service, and for overseas workers, employers must also provide a return air ticket to the employee’s home country during the annual leave period.

The advisory further explains that workers in Oman can apply for sick leave of up to 182 days. This includes the first 21 days on full pay during a year, after which compensation is paid at reduced rates as per the law.

The advisory states that employees are entitled to three days for marriage, seven days on the birth of a child and bereavement leave on the death of a close relative, depending on the degree of relationship.

In Oman, a Muslim woman is entitled to 130 days of leave in the event of the death of her husband, while a non-Muslim woman is entitled to 14 days.

Similarly, working women are entitled to 98 days of paid maternity leave, while employees who have completed at least one year of service are also eligible for 15 days of leave to perform Hajj.

The Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment Pakistan has stressed that awareness of these legal rights is essential, noting that knowledge and understanding of labor laws is one of the most effective safeguards against exploitation of overseas workers.