Job Discussion Forums

[Ka`b ibn al-Ashraf]

There has been a strong rumor for some time now that the "release letter" is a thing of the past, at least for some professions like teachers.

People in positions of authority seem to look down and mumble incoherently whenever this issue is raised like they don't want the rabble to catch on.

Does anyone have the inside skinny on this?

[veiledsentiments]

I know some people who got them last year. Is this something to take effect this year?

I'm not sure why they would want to implement such a thing for teachers. Who would benefit? It has always been rather employer ruled, and they decided if and when they wanted to provide one.

VS

[Ka`b ibn al-Ashraf]

It's to the benefit of the labor force, which now resemble indentured servitude in many contracts.

It's rumored this change is necessary in order to comply with WTO regulations, and Oman wants to join the WTO.

Once a contract runs out, many employers - not all - say re-up with us or leave the country. Some employers "sell" release letters by trading benefits for them.

Getting rid of release letters allows professionals to be sponsored by a new employer once their contract with one runs out. It ensures a greater mobility of the workforce, as well as greater competition for quality workers.

I'm for it. I was just looking for factual information on the issue.

[veiledsentiments]

Ah, I misunderstood what you were suggesting. I thought that you meant that no one would give them and then no one could switch employers.

It wasn't clear that the new rule would just allow anyone to transfer any time after completion of contracts. That would be great.

VS

[localhero]

I had an employer who said he'd never give a release letter. However, he said I could leave the country and come back on another's sponsorship. So I left, my visa was cancelled, my new employer processed my papaers and visa and now I'm back in the country in new employment!

[veiledsentiments]

Great News!!

VS

[omani_chick]

Does anyone have a current information about release letters or no objection letters? Is the two-year ban/blacklist still in place? Is it legally possible to terminate a current teaching contract here in Oman and immediately accept another teaching contract without consequence?

Teaching in Oman for the past five years, my employment status has been based on a one-year renewable contract. Until recently I have been content with this employer. Now I wish to change employers before the end of the current academic year. Is this (legally) possible? Thanks!

[veiledsentiments]

I'm not sure if anyone will have a definitive answer to this one. My gut feeling is that since you are still under contract - with your labor card assigned to your employer - you could only do this if your employer agreed. They can easily block you by refusing to cancel your card and the government will not give a second one until it is canceled.

It is definitely possible to immediately transfer to a new employer if it is the end of the contract. But, again, it requires a certain amount of cooperation from your past employer. A few people transfer into SQU each year from other institutions in Oman. Some in Muscat even remained in the same housing and that was transferred.

It pays to leave an employer without burning bridges.

VS

[omani_chick]

Thanks VS for your input. I know it isn't wise to leave mid-contract, and most likely I will not, and remain with my employer until the end of my contract in July. I simply want to know the current rule in Oman re release letters, as this thread was first started in 2006. Cheers!

[veiledsentiments]

It would certainly be better if you could finish it out... and looks so much better on your CV too.

VS

[Neil McBeath]

There is conflicting advice about this one simply because the rules changed when Oman joined the WTO. Not everybody understands that, and a lot of people assume that the old rules still apply.

So far as I know, it is perfectly possible to finish one contract, and then take up employment with another sponser WITHOUT a release letter. I have at least one colleague at SQU who has done just that.

I also know of an instance where RAFO refused to renew a teacher's contract, but he was able to move on to a new position within Oman.

Some people leave the country briefly, and get their new employer to arrange for a new visa, but I don't think that, technically speaking, that it absolutely necessary. It might, however, be a tidier solution.