According to 2010 estimates, there are approximately 826,000 migrant workers in Oman, a third of whom work in the construction sector. They generally work and live in appalling conditions as their fundamental rights are ignored by employers, a situation facilitated by the lack of government inspections. Migrant domestic workers are the most vulnerable, and are often the victims of all sorts of exploitation and abuse including physical and psychological violence. Employers usually confiscate migrant workers’ passports, even though the law bans them from doing so.
Owing to the “kafala” (sponsorship) system, migrant workers cannot change employers without their first employer’s consent. The authorities are trying to find an alternative to this system, in cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council.