Tuesday, 21st October 2025

The General Federation of Oman Workers (GFOW), represented by its Women’s Committee, organised seminars from 20th to 21st October 2025, shedding light on the pension system for Omani working women, the implications of recent amendments to Social Protection Law, and the current state of women’s representation in private sector establishments.

The seminars aimed to achieve several key objectives, primarily leveraging studies and practical experience to assess the reality for working women. They sought to build on available data, opinions, and recommendations to formulate actionable initiatives. These initiatives are designed to enhance the trade union system, promote a more stimulating work environment for women, and better respond to their current needs. The seminars also provided a platform for female trade union leaders to exchange viewpoints and expertise, fostering effective communication among Women’s Committee members and strengthening future support networks. Furthermore, they aimed to cement the role of working women in decision-making positions by supporting national efforts to empower them in leadership roles within the private sector and to promote gender fairness in employment and professional growth.

On the sidelines of the seminars, the GFOW signed two cooperation agreements with Oman Arab Bank and NMC Healthcare. The agreements are designed to provide specialised programmes, activities, and initiatives for working women, supporting their engagement and enhance their participation in the work environment.

The first day’s featured a session on “Pension System for Omani Working Women and Implications of Social Protection Law Amendments,” presented by Engineer Mohammed Al Khaldi, Advisor to the Chairman for Strategic Implementation at the GFOW. The second day featured a session on “Reality of Women’s Representation in Private Sector Establishments,” presented by Khalisa Al Rahbi, a researcher in academic media studies, and Sumaiya Al Yaqoubi, a researcher in press and media studies. This qualitative study was prepared by the GFOW in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and government entities. The presentation sought to refine the study by analysing its initial results, discussing its methodology, and linking findings more accurately to practical reality, ensuring the final outputs align with the needs of the current work environment.

The events concluded with a lecture on “Key Services from the Social Protection Fund (SPF) and How to Access Them,” presented by Khadija Al Ajmi, Head of Legal Review and Contracts Department at the Fund.

Concurrently with the seminars, the GFOW launched a media campaign on “Woman-Friendly Work Environment in Private Sector.” The campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of creating a more flexible work environment for working women, enabling them to balance the demands of their professional and family lives.

In light of the seminars, Suad Al Slimi, Chairperson of the Women’s Committee at the GFOW, said: “We need a deeper understanding of the challenges facing working women across various sectors and to promote policies that consider their specific needs and ambitions. This includes balancing professional and family life, reaching leadership positions, and developing skills that keep pace with current requirements.”

Participating in the seminars, Dr. Badriya Al Wahibi, Director of Information and Research Centre at State Council, said: “We thank the GFOW for the purposeful studies it has presented to support and empower working women, which adopted a qualitative descriptive methodology. The studies highlighted results from interviews with working women in the private sector, documented challenges, and matched them with realistic solutions. These discussions were positive, reflecting the directions of Oman Vision 2040, and align with international agreements and local legislation.”

Al Wahibi added: “The practical application of maternity benefits and the maternity insurance branch were also discussed. These are among the most significant achievements for Omani working women in social protection, having included all categories, work contracts, and training. There was also a focus on expanding the scope of these benefits and improving their quality.”

Also participating in the seminars, Dr. Khadija Al Shahi, Chairperson of Women Journalists Committee at Omani Journalists’ Association and Senior Programme Producer at Ministry of Information, said: “These were enriching seminars that stemmed from the core reality of working women. Everything presented and discussed in the sessions touches on the issues and challenges women face, both in the work environment and in family life.”

Al Shahi added: “We thank the GFOW, which continues to dedicate diligent efforts to supporting working women, preserving their legal rights, and enhancing their protection. This provides them with a positive work environment that helps them fulfil both their professional and social duties.”