Evolution of the policies of immigration and its impact on migration in the Sultanate of Oman

Kailash Chandra Das, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Nilambari Gokhale, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

The increasing immigrants in Gulf nations is considered as growing dependency on foreign labor force as well as one of the root causes behind current unemployment. The countries like Saudi Arabia, Oman, U.A.E., Baharain have come up with the policy of localization of labor where the foreign labour is replaced by the locals. The present paper analyzes the phenomenon of localization of labor and its impact on international migration in Oman. The development policy includes ‘Omanisation Program ’ as an attempt to reduce local unemployment and dependence on foreign labor through various strategies like enhancing educational and vocational training and reservation of jobs for nationals . The new policy adversely affects the flow of immigrants to Oman. With continuous expanding economic activity and small base of national population in most of the GCC countries, it is possible that these countries may face serious labour crisis in the future.