LABOR FEEDBACK ON ILO VISIT, NEED FOR TECHNICAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000588

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARPI (S. STEINGER),DRL (J. DEMARIA)
STATE ALSO FOR NEA/PI (S. FRANCESKI AND B. ORBACH)
DEPARTMENT PASS USTR FOR J. BUNTIN AND A. ROSENBERG
DOL FOR J. SHEA, B. SHEPARD AND J. RUDE
US MISSION GENEVA FOR LABOR ATTACHE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB ETRD KMPI PGOV PHUM MU
SUBJECT: LABOR FEEDBACK ON ILO VISIT, NEED FOR TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE

REF: A. MUSCAT 531

B. MUSCAT 512

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SUMMARY
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1. In meetings held April 3-4, an International Labor
Organization (ILO) delegation met with Ministry of Manpower
officials, employers and worker committee representatives to
discuss ongoing labor reforms and proposed plans for
technical assistance. Minister of Manpower Juma bin Ali bin
Jumaa told employers to get ready: "Unions are coming." The
delegation agreed to review ongoing reforms and return with
compliance recommendations in mid-May. While most committee
members are encouraged by imminent signs of reform, some
were unimpressed with the ILO sales pitch and continued to
press for details of planned technical assistance, arguing
that without immediate access to basic skills building and
union education, current members will be unprepared for 2007
elections to the Main Representative Committee. End Summary.

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Maqbul's Commitments Under ILO Review
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2. An International Labor Organization (ILO) delegation held
meetings in Muscat from April 3-4 to discuss ongoing labor
reforms with the Ministry of Manpower and proposed technical
assistance plans with Main Representative Committee (MRC)
members. (Note: MRC is the Omani equivalent of a National
Committee of Union Representatives. End Note.) According to
MRC members with whom ILO met, the ILO's focus is on
reforming the labor law first, arguing that without the
necessary reform and implementing regulations, it will be
difficult to provide detailed technical assistance to the
committees. The ILO delegation discussed all the commitments
made by Minister of Commerce and Industry Maqbul bin Ali
Sultan in his March 26 letter to Congress (ref A) and is
expected to return to Muscat mid-May with recommendations for
compliance. Committee members were aware of, and encouraged
by, the October 31 deadline pledged by Minister Maqbul.

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Technical Assistance: This Year?
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3. In meetings with MRC members, employers, and the Ministry
of Manpower (MOM),the ILO delegation discussed a possible
timeframe for delivery of technical assistance. However,
committee members complained to PolOff that the ILO proposal
is still vague (no agenda or workshop ideas were presented)
and draws distinct links between Bahrain and Oman, something
the committee members feel is unlikely to help their
situation given the longer history of unionization in
Bahrain. One committee member also complained that ongoing
visits by the ILO, a recent visit by the Solidarity Center,
and other offers of assistance appear to be duplicative
efforts lacking central organization.


4. The ILO delegation drew sharp but divided criticism over
its projected timeframe for initial delivery of workshops in
June, July, and August. While one MRC member complained that
this was too soon, particularly given the lack of a detailed
plan, others complained that it's been too long in the works.
Regardless of commitment or plan, any implementor now will
face the seasonal challenge of the impending "summer
slow-down," when both public and private-sector Omanis take
leave of the summer heat.


5. Despite debate over ILO's plan and pace for technical
assistance, committee members have already started taking
advantage of other technical assistance opportunities in the
region. Members developed strong ties with the Solidarity
Center during that NGO's recent visit and have been invited
to events in Kuwait and other regional capitals. The Arab
Confederation of Free Trade Unions has also contacted the MRC
to offer assistance.

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Labor Outreach on the Rise
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6. In other labor-related news, public outreach and
education on labor developments have been on the rise (see
ref B for a recent example). The MRC has begun publishing
public service announcements and press releases regarding MRC
attendance at international labor forums. The MOM has also
been active on the press circuit, sending the Director
General of Labor Care to the Majlis al-Shura to discuss
expatriate workers and appearing on popular radio talk shows
to answer questions about the labor law.

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COMMENT
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7. MRC members are encouraged by the labor reform
commitments made by Minster Maqbul, but are still struggling
to fulfill even basic aspects of their existing mandate for
lack of financial resources and training. Most members feel
that without basic skills building and union education,
current members will be unprepared for 2007 MRC elections and
ILO participation in Geneva. Members opined that unless a
technical assistance plan was devised soon, and delivered
early enough, a genuine opportunity for progress would be
missed.
GRAPPO