Muscat: The decision of the Ministry of Manpower (MoM) not to issue visas to non-Omani sales and marketing professionals as well as those engaged in camel keeping, with effect from December 1, may affect some firms, according to industry players.
Others say it will not have much impact, at least not in the immediate future.
"But the effect would show only if the ban is extended beyond six months," said one of them.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Manpower stopped issuing visas to a section of non-Omani workers in the construction and cleaning sectors, and the bar was meant to stay in effect for six months. The ban came into effect from November 1.
"Expansion plans of most of the companies go for a toss whenever the ministry stops issuing new visas," said a senior official from a reputed industrial house.
He also said that given the current situation, there is definitely a growing demand for more and more people from outside the country. "But if this demand is not met, there will be a slump in the industry, which may have an adverse impact on some projects," he added.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Bangladesh Embassy in Oman has been trying to convince the Omani authorities to review the decision.
Shamsun Nahar, director general of the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), claimed that the decision would certainly affect Bangladesh’s overseas job market. "We would be very happy if the Oman government withdraws it quickly," he said.
"Expansion plans of most of the companies go for a toss whenever the ministry stops issuing new visas… if this demand (for more expat workers) is not met, there will be a slump in the industry."
– Senior industry official
102,357 Bangladeshis
According to statistics, a total of 102,357 Bangladeshi workers arrived in Oman between January and September this year.
Bangladesh Bank data shows that the country received $610 million as remittance from Oman in 2012-13 fiscal year and $151 million from July to September this year.
Another industry player said that this ban may increase the prices as the overall costs may go up. "Now we have to hire locals by spending more money," he said.
While the ban is only for new visas, it would not affect renewal of existing visas or recruiting workforce on visas already sanctioned.
Even issuance of replacement visas will not be a problem. Family visa status, too, would not be affected though fresh family visa status would be allotted to only those expatriates who have a minimum salary of OMR600.
