Oman Employment, Benefit and Payroll Guide

Kuwait offers a favorable business environment, with a robust economy, a high standard of living, and a strategic location in the Gulf region. Expanding your business in Kuwait can provide you with access to a range of opportunities in various sectors, from oil and gas and construction to finance and healthcare. The government of Kuwait has implemented a range of economic reforms to attract foreign investment and promote economic growth, including the introduction of new business regulations, investment in infrastructure, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. Kuwait is also home to a highly skilled and diverse workforce, with a strong focus on education and training. With its strategic location, diversified business environment, and skilled workforce, Kuwait is an ideal destination for businesses looking to expand in the GCC region.

Key Facts

Capital City: Kuwait City

Currency: Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD)

National holiday: National Day, February 25th

Language: Arabic (official), English

Population: 4.3 million (2021 estimate)

Payroll Cycle: Monthly

VAT: 0%

Time zone: AST (Arabian Standard Time), UTC+3

International dialing code: +965

Oman Payroll and Labor Laws

Kuwait has a stable and open business environment, with a favorable tax regime and streamlined business regulations. The country offers a range of investment incentives, including tax exemptions, subsidies, and loans, to attract foreign investment and promote economic growth. Kuwait also has a well-developed financial sector, with a range of banking and investment services available to businesses and individuals.

Overall, having a good understanding of Kuwait's business and labor laws is crucial for companies looking to establish or expand their operations in the country. By complying with these laws and regulations, companies can ensure that they are providing their employees with fair and equitable treatment, while also avoiding any potential legal issues or penalties. With its favorable business environment, skilled workforce, and supportive government policies, Kuwait is an attractive destination for businesses looking to expand in the GCC region.

Contributions

Employer

Social Security 10.5%
Occupational Injury and Disease 1.00%
Job Security Fund 1.00%

‍Total Employment Cost 12.50%

Employee

Social Security 7.00%
Job Security Fund 1.00%
‍
‍Total Employee Cost 8.00%

Minimum Wage

General

In Oman, the minimum wage is 325 OMR per month, of which 225 OMR must be salary, and the remaining 100 OMR must be paid as a bonus.

Payroll

Payroll Cycle

In Oman, the payroll frequency is typically monthly. The employer must make salary payments at least once a month.

13th Salary

There is no legal requirement for employers to pay a 13^th-month payment.

Working Hours

General

In Oman, the standard work week consists of 45 hours per week, nine hours a day. However, work hours are reduced to 30 hours a week, 6 hours a day during Ramadan.

Overtime

All work above the standard weekly hours is paid as overtime and regulated by employment contracts/collective agreements. When an employee is requested to work overtime or on holidays, the maximum is set at 12 hours a day.

All overtime hours in excess of 45 hours a week are paid at an overtime compensation rate of 125% of the employees’ regular wage for daylight hours and150% for hours worked at night.
Working on a Friday earns 1.5x regular salary and a compensatory day off.

Working on a national holiday earns 2x regular salary.

Leave

Paid Time Off

Employees have the right to an annual leave of 30 days, paid at 100% of their regular salary. Employees earn the entitlement following six months of consecutive employment at one organisation.

Public Holidays

Oman has 10 public holidays.

Sick Days

An employee is entitled to 10 days of sick leave compensated by the employer at 100% of their regular income. Any sickness in excess of two weeks is paid by Social Security at a reduced rate as follows:

‍Week 3-4 of sickness – 75% of their wages
Week 5-6 of sickness – 50% of their wages
Week 7-10 of sickness– 25% of their wages

Maternity Leave

Per Article 83, Part 5 of the Labor Law of Oman, women working in the private sector are entitled to 50 days of maternity leave covering periods before and after delivery, with compensation at 100% of their regular income. An employee is entitled to maternity leave three times throughout her employment in one organisation. Civil Service Law No. 120/2004 allows female employees working in the public sector to take maternity leave up to five times throughout their service.

Paternity Leave

In Oman, there are no provisions in the law regarding paternity leave.

Parental Leave

There are no provisions in the law regarding parental leave.

Other Leave

Bereavement leave: for the death of a father, mother, spouse, sibling, grandparent, or child, an employee is entitled to three days of leave. For the death of an aunt or uncle, two days’ leave is granted. In the event of a working Muslim woman losing her husband, the leave entitlement is increased to 130 days.

Wedding leave: an employee is entitled to 3 days.Hajj Pilgrimage: an employees gets 15 days of leave to perform the Hajj Pilgrimage once during their employment, following one year of service.

Exam leave: granted to employees in Oman for the opportunity to study in one of the schools, institutes, colleges, or universities. The leave entitlement for study leave is 15 days.

Termination

Termination Process

The termination process varies according to the Employment Agreement and the Collective Agreement in place and on the type of contract and reason for termination. Employers must have sufficient ground for terminating an employee and must provide a formal notice period and end-of-service gratuity.

Notice Period

The notice period in Oman is 30 days for both employees resigning and employers dismissing an employee. All notices must be provided in writing.

Severance Pay

In Oman, employers must pay severance pay based on the employee’s years of service:

‍15 calendar days’ basic pay for each year of service for the first three years.

30 calendar days’ basic pay for each year of service above three years.

Probation Period

In Oman, probation periods are outlined in the employees’ employment contract collective agreement. The probation period must not exceed three months.

Visa

Foreigners are usually requested to obtain entry visas to travel to Oman. Visas for Oman are broadly categorised as a tourist visa, employment visa, relative/friend visit visa, family joining/resident visa, investor resident and student resident visa, transit visa.

They can be issued as single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry visas for visits up to 90 days in periods of 180 days. The single-entry visa grants one-time entrance, whereas double-entry visa holders may travel twice in predetermined timeframes. A multiple-entry visa allows for consecutive visits to the country.

Value Added Tax (VAT)

General

5.00%

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