Muscat: Various issues concerning the work environment of the private sector employees were discussed by the agencies and authorities concerned on Sunday.

With businesses in several sectors coming to a standstill due to the Convid-19 precautionary measures, some workers in the private sector told the Observer

that they have been asked to consider the situation of no work as either ‘unpaid or annual leave or face a salary cut.’

Amidst such reports, Majlis A’ Shura on Sunday discussed measures taken by the competent authorities to minimise the spread of Covid-19 in the sultanate.

Apart from reviewing the precautionary measures taken to protect citizens and residents in the Sultanate from infection, the meeting discussed letters received from some citizens, which included complaints about deduction from their monthly salaries during the quarantine period.

The council stressed there shall be no compromise on the salaries of employees in the private sector.

The General Federation of Oman Workers (GFOW) said it is monitoring cases of violations of workers’ rights in the private sector by some companies under the pretext of measures taken to combat the spread of Covid-19. “Some of these violations include termination of service, deduction of wages, and forced unpaid leave,” a statement said.

The GFOW said it monitored the cases in cooperation with the competent authorities to take necessary measures in this regard. It urged all workers in the Sultanate to inform of any violations in light of the application of measures to fight Covid-19.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Manpower said it followed up on reports that some private institutions and companies have been cutting the salaries of their employees in light of reducing or stopping the work of some of them due to the current health conditions.

The meeting urged citizens and residents to adhere to the procedures and precautions approved by the Supreme Committee on Covid-19 and asked the private sector to work jointly with the government.