Muscat: The decision aims to create a clear legal framework that balances flexibility, productivity, and workers’ rights in the Sultanate of Oman.
The decision, issued in line with the Labour Law (Royal Decree No. 53/2023), defines the terms and conditions for implementing both partial and full remote work arrangements, while prohibiting remote contracts with workers based outside the country.
According to the regulation, remote work is defined as job duties performed outside the physical workplace but within Oman, using information and communication technology (ICT) tools.
In all cases, it shall be prohibited to contract remote work with any worker outside the Sultanate of Oman to perform any work for the establishment
Article 3 specifies that an establishment applying the remote work system shall comply with the following:
- Prepare a list of workers working under the remote work system and provide a copy to the competent authority upon request.
- Provide the necessary ICT tools, software, and communication means for remote work, and shall bear the costs of installation and maintenance, unless otherwise agreed with the worker.
- Grant the worker the necessary authority to perform their job duties.
- Provide an electronic system enabling supervision of the worker, monitoring their performance, and determining an evaluation mechanism
The establishment is prohibited from using monitoring systems that violate the worker’s privacy, from using any of the worker’s personal data for purposes other than work, or from engaging in any practices that conflict with the applicable laws in the Sultanate of Oman
A worker working under the remote work system shall comply with the following: - Perform the work personally during the agreed working hours.
- Utilise the ICT tools, software, and communication means provided by the establishment, or their own ICT tools subject to the establishment’s information security systems.
- Maintain the confidentiality of work-related data, information, and documents.
- Maintain the ICT tools provided for work and return them upon request.
- Deliver the required work as agreed.
- Immediately notify the establishment of any technical malfunctions, difficulties, or other circumstances that may affect their ability to perform the work
The worker may disconnect from the establishment’s electronic system where it is established that the establishment is using tools, systems. or software that violate the worker’s privacy, or where personal data is used for purposes other than work without the worker’s consent
The worker may submit a request to work remotely on a partial basis. The establishment may approve or reject the request according to work requirements. In all cases, the establishment shall not bear the obligations stipulated in item 2 of Article 3 of this decision where it approves the request.
A fully remote work contract must be in writing and shall specifically include the following: - Name, address, and details of the employer and the establishment.
- Name, address, and contact details of the worker.
- Date of contract conclusion and commencement of work.
- Type of work, its conditions, and duration if for a fixed term.
- Agreed remuneration and payment schedule.
- Agreed working hours.
- ICT tools and communication means used in the work and the party responsible for providing, installing, and maintaining them.
- Supervision, monitoring, and performance evaluation mechanism.
- Occupational health and safety obligations.
- Obligations relating to information security and privacy.
- Obligations relating to information security and privacy.
The establishment shall require a worker working partially remotely to resume on site work in the following cases: - Where there is a threat to information security or the worker engages in activities that compromise the establishment’s data.
- Gross breach by the worker of the instructions and policies relating to the remote work system applied by the establishment.
- Failure to comply with the agreed working hours.
- Expiration of the partial remote work period.
A worker working under the remote work system shall have all the rights and obligations prescribed for workers under the Labour Law and its implementing regulations and decisions.
