Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Oman (Ratification: 1998)

The Committee takes note of the supplementary information provided by the Government in light of the decision adopted by the Governing Body at its 338th Session (June 2020). The Committee proceeded with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the supplementary information received from the Government this year, as well as on the basis of the information at its disposal in 2019.

Articles 1(1), 2(1) and 25. Trafficking in persons. 1. Law enforcement. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the application in practice of the Human Trafficking Act of 2008, including the number of investigations and prosecutions, as well as the penalties applied to those convicted.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Ministry of Manpower has prepared a plan to develop labour inspection which includes training and skills upgrading for a number of inspectors by the ILO with emphasis on labour protection issues and trafficking in persons. The Committee further notes that in its supplementary report, the Government indicates that a Ministerial Decision of 11 August 2020 was promulgated to establish a unit to combat trafficking in persons within the Inspection Department of the Public Directorate for Workers’ Welfare. The unit is competent in the following areas: (i) providing support in the investigation of cases of trafficking in persons; (ii) receiving complaints on trafficking in persons; (iii) identifying training needs related to trafficking in persons, including for labour inspectors on trafficking indicators; (iv) preparing studies and statistics on trafficking in persons; and (v) providing support to relevant bodies working on this issue.

With regard to slavery and slave trading offences, the Government indicates that no acts contravening articles 260–261 of the Criminal Code have been observed in Oman. The Human Trafficking Act No. 126 of 2008 guarantees that such acts will be prosecuted, should they occur.

The Committee notes that the National Action Plan to combat trafficking in persons (2008–2016) has been renewed for a period of five years by the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking. In addition, the Committee notes the Government’s information that the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking launched the “Ihsan campaign” to raise awareness of the Anti-Trafficking Act. The campaign was disseminated through all traditional and electronic media platforms. The Government further indicates that between 2017 and the first half of 2020, ten convictions were handed down for cases of trafficking in persons, nine acquittals and five stays of proceedings were pronounced due to insufficient evidence; four cases are still under investigation. The Committee notes that in its concluding observations of 2017, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) while noting the efforts made by the Government to combat trafficking in persons, expressed its concern about the limited enforcement of the Anti-Trafficking Act of 2008, which is reflected by the low prosecution and conviction rates in cases of trafficking of women and girls (CEDAW/C/OMN/CO/2-3, paragraph 29(a)). Taking due note of the measures taken by the Government, the Committee requests it to provide information on the activities that have been carried out by the unit to combat trafficking in persons. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to prevent and combat trafficking in persons under the renewed National Action Plan to combat trafficking in persons. Lastly, it requests the Government to continue to provide information on cases of trafficking in persons which have been identified, any judicial proceedings instituted and any convictions handed down.

2. Protection of and assistance to victims of trafficking. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the number of victims of trafficking who benefited from protection and assistance (including medical, psychological and legal assistance).

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Wifaq shelter provides to victims of trafficking psychological and social assistance and health care, as well as pocket money to beneficiaries to cover some personal costs during their stay in the shelter. The Government also adds that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in charge of informing embassies of the States concerned about beneficiaries of the shelter’s services. Moreover, a memorandum of cooperation has been concluded between the Omani Lawyers Association and the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking, to represent victims, make civil claims on their behalf and defend their rights free of charge. In 2018, 14 victims of trafficking in persons benefited from the Wifaq shelter’s services. The Committee further notes the Government’s information in its supplementary report that, in 2019, 15 victims of trafficking benefited from the Wifaq shelter’s services. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to provide protection and assistance (including medical, psychological and legal assistance) to victims of trafficking, as well as to provide information on the number of persons benefiting from such assistance.