Child Labor and Forced Labor Reports
Oman
Moderate Advancement
In 2024, Oman made moderate advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The government approved a new National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking for the years 2024–2026. Oman also fully implemented its overhauled social insurance policies, which established a singular, unified welfare framework administered under the Social Protection Fund. The fund includes a monthly child benefit of $26 (10 Omani rial) for all Omani children until age 18, with additional benefits for orphans and widows. It also includes a family income support benefit for lower-income families calculated based on a target income that varies with family size. The government also held a validation workshop to review updated guidance for child protection during the reporting period. However, the government did not publish complete labor law enforcement information. Child labor is not visible in Oman, although a small number of children may work informally with their families, including in fishing and farming. Survey data are needed on the extent and nature of child labor to inform law enforcement, policies, and programs.
| Children | Age | Percent and Population |
|---|---|---|
| Working | 5 to 14 | Unavailable |
| Hazardous Work by Children | 15 to 17 | Unavailable |
| Attending School | 5 to 14 | Unavailable |
| Combining Work and School | 7 to 14 | Unavailable |
| Sector/Industry | Activity |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | Farming and fishing. |
Children at Higher Risk
Children in rural and coastal areas of Oman may be vulnerable to child labor in farming and fishing.
| Standard | Age | Meets International Standards | Legislation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Age for Work | 15 | ✓ | Articles 1 and 98 of the Labor Law |
| Minimum Age for Hazardous Work | 18 | ✓ | Articles 45, 46, and 71 of the Child Law; Article 2 of Ministry of Manpower Order 217/2016 |
| Identification of Hazardous Occupations or Activities Prohibited for Children | ✓ | Article 5 of Ministry of Manpower Order 217/2016 | |
| Prohibition of Slavery, Debt Bondage, and Forced Labor | ✓ | Articles 1, 2, 8, and 9 of the Anti-Trafficking Law | |
| Prohibition of Child Trafficking | ✓ | Articles 1, 2, and 9 of the Anti-Trafficking Law | |
| Prohibition of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children | ✓ | Articles 1, 2, 8, and 9 of the Anti-Trafficking Law; Articles 254, 255, and 267 of the Penal Code | |
| Prohibition of Using Children in Illicit Activities | ✓ | Articles 58 and 74 of the Child Law; Article 43 of the Law on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances | |
| Minimum Age for Voluntary State Military Recruitment | 16 | ✗ | Article 55 of the Child Law |
| Prohibition of Compulsory Recruitment of Children by (State) Military | ✓* | Article 55 of the Child Law | |
| Prohibition of Military Recruitment by Non-state Armed Groups | ✓ | Articles 1(f), 55, and 72 of the Child Law | |
| Compulsory Education Age | 15‡ | ✓ | Article 36 of the Child Law |
| Free Public Education | ✓ | Article 13 of the Basic Law; Article 36 of the Child Law |
* Country has no conscription
‡ Age calculated based on available information
While the Child Law permits children who have completed 16 years of age to volunteer for the armed forces, the law does not provide safeguards to ensure voluntariness.
| Organization/Agency | Role & Activities |
|---|
| Ministry of Labor (MOL): Monitors and enforces child labor laws, conducts labor inspections, and shares information with the Royal Oman Police on labor and criminal law violations when penalties are pursued. According to the government, MOL conducts yearly inspections of all private institutions and re-inspections of workplaces found to be in violation of labor laws. Labor inspections are also conducted following a complaint. If a violation is found, the institution is given a set period of time to address the problem. If an institution fails to address the violation, a fine may be levied. MOL can refer cases of child labor to the Ministry of Social Development (MOSD) if the child is under the minimum age for work. MOL and MOSD can also coordinate with the Royal Oman Police to shelter child victims in an MOSD-run facility and refer suspected violators for criminal investigation. In addition, the labor inspectorate has a specialized unit composed of two people to conduct inspections related to suspected human trafficking. The unit is charged with bringing indicators of trafficking to the ministry and transferring cases to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for further investigation. |
| Royal Oman Police: Monitors and enforces the Child Law, including its provisions related to child labor, and refers cases to the Office of the Public Prosecutor. |
| Overview of Enforcement Efforts | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Has a Labor Inspectorate | Yes |
| Able to Assess Civil Penalties | Yes |
| Routinely Conducted Worksite Inspections | Yes |
| Unannounced Inspections Permitted | Yes |
| Has a Complaint Mechanism | Yes |
| Imposed Penalties for Child Labor Violations | N/A |
| Conducted Criminal Investigations for Worst Forms of Child Labor Crimes | Yes |
| Imposed Penalties for Worst Forms of Child Labor Crimes | N/A |
In 2024, an unknown number of labor inspectors conducted 5,072 worksite inspections in Muscat and an unknown number of worksite inspections throughout the rest of the country, finding 0 child labor violations. The government also conducted 2 investigations into suspected cases of the worst forms of child labor and initiated 2 prosecutions.
| Coordinating Body | Role & Activities |
|---|
| National Child Protection Committee: Consists of representatives from MOSD, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, and the Royal Oman Police. Receives complaints and reports of child labor and investigates reported cases to determine whether children are engaged in prohibited activities or whether working has negative effects on their health or education. Also refers children who are victims of abuse, neglect, or other related issues to social services. Held a validation workshop with UNICEF to review updated guidance for child protection during the reporting period. |
| Policy | Description & Activities |
|---|
| National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking (2024–2026):* Strengthens Oman’s response to combating human trafficking through awareness raising, reviewing of legislation, and training. Calls for an integrated system for investigating and prosecuting human trafficking cases. Additionally, aims to establish bilateral memorandums of understanding to increase international cooperation on human trafficking issues. |
* Policy was approved during the reporting period.
| Program | Description & Activities |
|---|
| Social Security Cash Transfer Program:‡ Provides assistance to children in low-income families, including educational services. In 2024, Oman fully implemented its overhauled social insurance policies, which established a singular, unified welfare framework administered under the Social Protection Fund. The fund includes a monthly child benefit of $26 (10 OMR) for all Omani children until age 18, with additional benefits for orphans and widows. It also includes a family income support benefit for lower-income families calculated based on a target income that varies with family size. |
| Dar al-Wifaq Shelter:‡ MOSD-operated shelter for women and child victims of human trafficking; 15 of the shelter’s beds are allocated for children. The shelter provides a number of services for victims of human trafficking that include psychological counseling, health care, and pro bono legal advocacy through the Lawyers Association. Active in 2024. |
‡ Program is funded by the Government of Oman.
| Area | Suggested Action |
|---|---|
| Legal Framework | Ensure that the law establishes 16 as the minimum age for voluntary recruitment by the state military with safeguards for voluntariness. |
| Enforcement | Collect and publish data on labor law enforcement efforts taken to address child labor. |
| Social Programs | Collect and publish data on the extent and nature of child labor to inform policies and programs. |