Oman cabinet approves referral of Social Protection Draft Law to Council of Oman

Muscat: The Council of Ministers has approved the referral of the draft law on Social Protection to the Council of Oman to complete its legislative session.

The step was undertaken within the context of the Council of Ministers’ keenness to finalise procedures linked to the restructuring of retirement and social protection systems.

The Council of Ministers commended the new social protection system designed in line with the best international practices, standards and experiences based on transition from case-study programmes to a comprehensive system of coverage.

It also introduces a transition from providing assistance to needy families to a concept of protection against life-cycle risks for all segments of society. The overall objective is to achieve social and economic stability in line with Oman Vision 2040.

The draft law allocates new social benefits to the elderly, children, the orphans, widows and low-income families. It also caters to old-aged retired personnel and to the designing of unified retirement systems for all sectors of the labour market, both government and private. Such a process is envisaged to cover the stage of retirement, death and disability risks, work-related injuries, occupational diseases and job security.

An additional sum of RO 400 million has been introduced in 2023 to implement programmes and benefits endorsed for the social protection system.