Result achieved
Outcome summary
The government of Oman in July 2023 established a unified social protection agency Social Protection Fund to increase efficiency and coherence in the administration of all contributory and non-contributory social protection benefits. The Social Protecti...
Outcome achieved
The government of Oman in July 2023 established a unified social protection agency Social Protection Fund to increase efficiency and coherence in the administration of all contributory and non-contributory social protection benefits. The Social Protection Fund will operate under the oversight of a tripartite board. The approved reforms also envisage the creation of an inter-ministerial cabinet level committee to oversee and coordinate the implementation of the social protection policy across different relevant line ministries.
The reform transforms Oman’s pension system from one based on 11 fragmented pension funds for each category of the labour market’s formal sector, to an agile, multi-tiered pension system. The Social Protection Fund will administer benefits for all segments of the economy under one unified institutional framework.
ILO's contribution to the outcome
The ILO has worked in close partnership with Tawazun, the high-level government programme for fiscal balance, and ILO constituents in Oman to support the social protection reforms agenda. This has entailed the provision of technical assistance on the development of the new governance model for the social protection sector, the identification of key functions of the ministerial committee vis a vis the new social protection agency and the structure and prerogatives of the new board and executive management structures.
Gender equality & non-discrimination
New provisions in Oman’s social protection law will provide stronger protections for women and pave way to greater gender equality. This includes: a) Guaranteeing a pension in old age, de-linked from previous contributions, which will disproportionately benefit women; b) A guaranteed minimum survivors’ benefit for widows and orphans will ensure the ability to maintain a minimum standard of living after the death of a spouse or parent c) New government-funded universal benefits for children and persons with disability will also support women, who typically bear the burden of care at home; d) the extension of maternity and paternity benefits, marking Oman out as a leader among Arab States.
The new system will provide women with a longer leave, consistent with ILO minimum standards, during which the Social Protection Fund will cover the cost of pension contributions. In addition, with the new law, Oman will introduce seven days of job-protected paid paternity leave at 100 per cent of salary.
SDG
Goals
- End poverty in all its forms everywhere
- Reduce inequality within and among countries