Freedom of Association
Database 2024

Freedom of Association
Indicator
Freedom of Association
Countries
LRI 2024
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Oman

Freedom of Association Indicator

The Labour Rights Index 2024 (LRI 2024) is a de-jure index covering 145 economies and structured around the working lifespan of a worker. In total, 46 questions or evaluation criteria are scored across 10 indicators. The overall score is calculated by taking the average of each indicator, with 100 being the highest possible score. The Index uses a rating system, ranging from “Total Lack of Decent Work” to “Decent Work”. The Labour Rights Index aims at an active contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, by providing necessary (complementary) insights into de jure provisions on issues covered in particular by SDG8 (Decent Jobs), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Strong Institutions). The Index is based on national labour legislation, applicable on 1 January 2024.

Oman’s overall score is 74.5 out of 100. The overall score for Oman is greater than the regional average observed across Middle East and North Africa (64). Within the Middle East and North Africa region, the highest score is observed for Morocco (77).

Oman has not ratified either Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise (1948) or Convention No. 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining (1949).

Labour Rights Index 2024

74.5/100

LRI Country Score

50/100

Freedom of Association Indicator

. %

Trade union density rate (%)

. %

Collective bargaining coverage rate (%)

4.17

SDG indicator 8.8.2

4

ITUC Global Rights Index 2024 Ratings

Question

Answer

Score

Legal Basis

More Info

Does the law allow workers to form and join unions of their own choice?

No

0

§108-110(bis), Constitution 1996; §4, Ministerial Decision No. 570/2012; ITUC Global Rights Index 2024 (Oman profile)

A,C

Does the law allow workers to bargain collectively with employers through their representative unions?

Yes

1

§2-9 of the Ministerial Resolution No. 294/2006 Regulating Collective Bargaining, Peaceful Strikeand Lockout ;§112-115 of the Royal Decree No. 53/2023 issuing the Labor Law

Does the law provide for the right to strike?

No

0

§19 & 20 of the Ministerial Decision No. 294/2006; Ministerial Decision No. 17/2007; Ministerial Decision No. 575/2013; ITUC Global Rights Index 2024 (Oman profile)

A,C

Does the law prohibit imposing of excessive sanctions against striking workers?

Yes

1

Ministerial Decision No. 575/2013; Ministerial Decision No. 294/2006; §12 of the Royal Decree No. 53/2023 issuing the Labor Law

A

Textual sources

A : National Law

National Labour Legislation

B : CEACR

CEACR: ILO Committee of Experts on Application of Conventions and Recommendations (latest report)

C : ITUC

ITUC: ITUC Global Rights Index

D : USDOS

USDOS: US Department of States' Country Reports on Human Rights Practices

LRI Country Score
The Labour Rights Index has 10 indicators and 46 sub-indicators. The LRI Country score averages 10 indicators and ranges between 0 and 100. The lowest and highest scorers are Nigeria (29/100) and Belgium/Greece (96/100). https://labourrightsindex.org/  

Freedom of Association Indicator
The Freedom of Association indicator is composed of 4 sub-indicators. Scoring is done through the binary method (0 or 1). The score ranges between 0-100. 

Trade union density rate (%)
The trade union density rate conveys the number of union members who are employees as a percentage of the total number of employees in the country. For updated statistics on trade union density, please check ILOSTAT. 

Collective bargaining coverage rate (%)
The collective bargaining coverage rate conveys the number of employees whose pay and/or conditions of employment are determined by one or more collective agreement(s) as a percentage of the total number of employees in the country. For updated statistics on collective bargaining coverage, please check ILOSTAT. 

SDG indicator 8.8.2
SDG indicator 8.8.2 measures national compliance with fundamental labour rights (freedom of association and collective bargaining or FACB). It ranges from 0 to 10, with 0 being the best possible score (indicating higher levels of compliance with FACB rights) and 10 the worst (indicating lower levels of compliance with FACB rights). It is based on six ILO supervisory body textual sources and national legislation.
For an updated assessment on SDG indicator 8.8.2, please check ILOSTAT. 

ITUC Global Rights Index 2024 Ratings
The ITUC Global Rights Index depicts the world’s worst countries for workers by rating 148 countries on a scale from 1 to 5+ on the degree of respect for workers’ rights. Violations are recorded each year from April to March.  For a detailed description of ratings and methodology, please follow the link. 

Information

Source: §108-110(bis), Constitution 1996; §4, Ministerial Decision No. 570/2012; ITUC Global Rights Index 2024 (Oman profile)

A : National Law

National Labour Legislation

"Article 4 A member of a labor trade union must meet the following conditions: 1- He must be a worker at the establishment; 2- He must not be less than eighteen years of age on the date of submittal of the request of affiliation and he must enjoy full capacity. (min. age of employment is 15 yrs) 3- He must not be convicted in any misdemeanor or crime restricting freedom against honesty or trust unless he is forgiven and must prove this to the Directorate’s competent authorities. 4- He must not be on loan, delegated or member in another trade union or an employer at the establishment. 5- It should not be proved that he committed acts prejudicing the security of the country, national unity or the Sultanate’s interests. "

C : ITUC

ITUC Global Rights Index (country legal profile)

"To form a union, a minimum of 25 workers is required, regardless of the size of the company (Article 2 (D) of Ministerial Order No. 311/2006). "

Information

Source: §2-9 of the Ministerial Resolution No. 294/2006 Regulating Collective Bargaining, Peaceful Strikeand Lockout ;§112-115 of the Royal Decree No. 53/2023 issuing the Labor Law

Information

Source: §19 & 20 of the Ministerial Decision No. 294/2006; Ministerial Decision No. 17/2007; Ministerial Decision No. 575/2013; ITUC Global Rights Index 2024 (Oman profile)

A : National Law

National Labour Legislation

"Article (19): The establishment’s labor union must notify the employer in writing of the workers’ intention. The strike must be announced at least three weeks before the date set for it. The notification shall state the reasons for the strike and the demands of the workers, and the Ministry or any of its directorates in the governorates or regions must be provided with a copy of this notification Article (20): It is prohibited to strike or call for a strike in an establishment that provides services general or essential to the public. "

C : ITUC

ITUC Global Rights Index (country legal profile)

"Strikes must be supported by an absolute majority of the workforce (Ministerial Decree No. 17/2007). The employer must receive written notice of the strike at least three weeks in advance (Article 19 of Ministerial Decree No. 17/2007). Article 20 of Ministerial Order No. 294/2006: Strikes are prohibited in workplaces that provide basic services to the public. Article 1 of Ministerial Decree No. 17/2007: General basic services include education, prisons and civil aviation."

Information

Source: Ministerial Decision No. 575/2013; Ministerial Decision No. 294/2006; §12 of the Royal Decree No. 53/2023 issuing the Labor Law

A : National Law

National Labour Legislation

"Article 12 The employer’s termination of the employment contract shall be considered an arbitrary dismissal of the worker if the termination is for any of the following reasons: ....... 2 - The worker’s affiliation with a trade union or his legitimate participation in any of its activities or due to his representation in trade union work in accordance with what is stipulated by the laws, regulations and decisions issued in this regard. ........"