15 April 2025

Nabhan Ahmed Al-Battashi, Chairman of the GFOW Board of Directors, welcomed Eng. Nasir Abdulaziz Al-Jurayd, Chairman of the National Committee for Labour Committees in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, along with several committee members and specialists.

The visit aimed to explore the trade union experience in Oman. The first day of the programme included a presentation to the visiting delegation, providing an overview of union organisation and social dialogue in the country. The presentation covered the trade union framework in Oman, the governing decisions, and the existing union structures, which include the GFOW, sectoral general unions, and trade unions at private sector enterprises.

The presentation also addressed the social dialogue system in Oman, highlighting the GFOW’s essential role as the representative of workers among the tripartite partners. It also outlined the GFOW’s participation in local boards committees, as well as its key contributions through its membership in the Social Dialogue Committee and the governing body of the Social Protection Fund.

The visit included an introduction to the work of the Union and Labour Services Department at the GFOW, its various sections, and the procedures for handling requests for legal support. The delegation was also briefed on the GFOW’s role in resolving both individual and collective labour disputes, its involvement in labour dispute resolution committees, and membership in relevant bodies. Statistical data were shared regarding the support provided to workers in forming trade unions and sectoral general unions. The GFOW’s training and awareness programmes and its experience in union-related media were also highlighted.

On the sidelines of the visit, the delegation is scheduled to meet tomorrow with His Excellency the Minister of Labour to discuss shared interests and prospects for cooperation. The visit will also include a tour of the General Directorate for Worker Welfare at Ministry of Labour, where the delegation will be introduced to the Directorate’s mandate, the functioning of the trade union affairs unit—particularly the section responsible for researching and resolving labour disputes—and other departments including inspection, wage protection, labour negotiations, and occupational health and safety.

Eng. Nasir Abdulaziz Al-Juraid, Chairman of the National Committee for Labour Committees in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, stated: “Our visit aims to foster the exchange of expertise and the sharing of knowledge between both parties. It provided us with an opportunity to explore Oman’s trade union experience, which stands as a pioneering model in the region. We hope that continued engagement between representatives of trade unions and labour committees across the Gulf, and their joint efforts, will reflect the aspirations of the working class and enable us to draw lessons from diverse experiences. Both sides have actively contributed to the establishment of the GCC Coordination Council for Labour Federations and Committees, which is expected to positively influence all trade union organisations in the region and lay the foundation for a Gulf-wide labour federation that serves all workers in the Gulf.”

Nabhan Ahmed Al-Battashi, Chairman of the GFOW Board of Directors, remarked: “We appreciate the visit of our colleagues from the National Committee for Labour Committees in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This visit forms part of ongoing coordination among labour federations and committees in the Gulf and represents a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences and strengthen our collective understanding of the shared goals that unite workers across the Gulf states.”