Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Oman (Ratification: 1998)

Articles 1(1), 2(1) and 25. Trafficking in persons. 1. Law enforcement. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the application in practice of the Human Trafficking Act of 2008, including the number of investigations and prosecutions, as well as the penalties applied to those convicted.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Ministry of Manpower has prepared a plan to develop labour inspection which includes training and skills upgrading for a number of inspectors by the ILO with emphasis on labour protection issues and trafficking in persons. With regard to slavery and slave trading offences, the Government indicates that no acts contravening articles 260–261 of the Criminal Code have been observed in Oman. The Human Trafficking Act No. 126 of 2008 guarantees that such acts will be prosecuted, should they occur.

The Committee notes that the National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in persons (2008–16) has been renewed for a period of five years by the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking. The Committee also notes that in its concluding observations of 2017, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) while noting the efforts made by the Government to combat trafficking in persons, expressed its concern about the limited enforcement of the Anti-Trafficking Law of 2008, which is reflected by the low prosecution and conviction rates in cases of trafficking of women and girls (CEDAW/C/OMN/CO/2-3, paragraph 30(h). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to prevent and combat trafficking in persons under the renewed National Action to Combat Trafficking in persons. It also requests the Government to provide information on any cases of trafficking in persons which have been identified, any judicial proceedings instituted and any convictions handed down.

2. Protection of and assistance to victims of trafficking. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the number of victims of trafficking who benefited from protection and assistance (including medical, psychological and legal assistance).

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Wifaq shelter provides to victims of trafficking psychological and social assistance and health care, as well as pocket money to beneficiaries to cover some personal costs during their stay in the shelter. The Government also adds that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in charge of informing embassies of the States concerned about beneficiaries of the shelter’s services. Moreover, a memorandum of cooperation has been concluded between the Omani Lawyers Association and the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking, to represent victims, make civil claims on their behalf and defend their rights free of charge. In 2018, 14 victims of trafficking in persons benefited from the Wifaq shelter’s services. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to provide protection and assistance (including medical, psychological and legal assistance) to victims of trafficking, as well as to provide information on the number of persons benefiting from such assistance.