MINISTER OF MANPOWER OUTLINES ANTI-TIP ACTIONS;

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000298 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, G/TIP, DRL AND NEA/MEPI USTR FOR JASON BUNTIN AND AARON ROSENBERG DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FOR JAMES RUDE E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/24/2017 TAGS: PHUM PREL KCRM KWMN SMIG ELAB KMPI MU SUBJECT: MINISTER OF MANPOWER OUTLINES ANTI-TIP ACTIONS; REQUESTS MEETING WITH U.S. SECRETARY OF LABOR REF: A. 06 MUSCAT 1573 ¶B. MUSCAT 193 ¶C. MUSCAT 206 Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo, reasons 1.4 b/d. ¶1. (U) This message contains an Action Request (see paragraph 8). -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶2. (SBU) During a meeting in early March with the Ambassador, Minister of Manpower Juma bin ali al-Juma shared elements of his Ministry's initial plans to combat trafficking in persons (TIP). In addition, he asked for USG assistance to strengthen worker protections overall, and to help prepare Oman's workforce to compete in the global economy. Juma said that he would welcome an invitation to meet U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chou in Washington to discuss these and other issues. Post urges the Department of Labor to seriously consider extending such an invitation. End Summary. -------------- Anti-TIP Actions -------------- ¶3. (SBU) During a March 7 meeting, the Ambassador pressed Minister Juma for an update on steps the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has taken to prevent TIP. Juma highlighted a number of concrete actions, including a current partnership between the MOM and the embassies of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh to develop a brochure for newly-arrived workers that will inform them of their legal rights (including their right to retain their passports - ref A) and the services available to them (ref B). He further stated that he expects to issue regulations soon requiring employers to pay workers by direct-deposit through Oman's banks which, he explained, will give the MOM an important tool to track, investigate and punish instances of breach of contract and nonpayment of wages. ¶4. (C) While acknowledging the need for Omani action on TIP, the Minister was quick to point out that labor-exporting countries must assume a greater responsibility for preventing trafficking and protecting their nationals. He expressed particular concern that foreign governments are not doing enough to regulate the actions of recruitment agencies in their countries, which reportedly send some workers to Oman under false pretenses and/or without the proper documentation. Juma stated that the MOM has asked foreign embassies to provide it with a list of approved agencies, and that the Ministry plans to authorize recruitment exclusively from agencies on that list. (Note: Upon the Ambassador's request, Juma agreed to supply Post with a copy of the list. End note.) ¶5. (C) Minister Juma added that labor-exporting countries also need to do a better job of training their citizens in how to avoid becoming victims of exploitation, and should consider establishing better systems to confirm their nationals' work arrangements before they depart for Oman. Juma said that he is aware of cases in which workers were allowed to depart their countries with tourist visas to take jobs that did not exist -- a problem that could be avoided, he opined, with more efficient screening. The Ambassador made two recommendations on TIP, which Juma said he would consider -- instituting new procedures to prevent foreign workers from entering Oman via the UAE, sometimes on tourist visas, into exploitative conditions (ref C); and opening government-operated safe houses to support domestic workers who have run away from allegedly abusive sponsors. -------------- Need for USG Assistance -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Juma used the meeting to ask for USG assistance in strengthening his Ministry's capacity to implement recent labor reforms and build the skills of Oman's workforce. He specifically requested hlp in facilitating partnerships with U.S. educatinal institutions and labor organizations to provde professional development opportunities for MOM officials and teachers in the Ministry's four voctional training institutes. Juma welcomed the iea of a visit by a USG team of labor experts to Oman to assess the needs and MUSCAT 00000298 002 OF 002 priorities of business, government and labor, and to identify areas where the U.S. could provide assistance. He expressed strong interest in traveling to the United States to meet with U.S. Secretary of Labor Chou in Washington (with the Minister to pay his own way),and said that he would use an invitation from the Secretary as an opportunity to learn best practices in labor relations from U.S. business and labor leaders. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶7. (C) Although defensive at times regarding Oman's record on TIP-related issues, the Minister was willing to discuss specific ways to prevent labor exploitation and, as he described his Ministry's mission, "protect the weakest." Post expects Juma to be an important partner in implementing programs to prevent exploitation of migrant workers and to help care for potential victims. Additionally, he appears open to new and progressive ideas on labor in general. Juma helped ensure that Oman met its labor commitments under the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement (FTA),and his continued leadership is crucial to ensuring that Oman successfully implements its new laws covering union organizing, collective bargaining and the right to strike. -------------- Action Request -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Post strongly believes that a visit to Washington by Minister Juma at the invitation of Secretary Chou will present the U.S. with an invaluable opportunity to advance our core labor interests with a free trade partner. In addition to providing Juma with information and contacts to help execute far-reaching labor reforms, such a trip would also burnish his credibility domestically by showing the USG's high-level commitment to Oman's success. Outside the Department of Labor, Juma would benefit from meetings with relevant Department officials, U.S. labor unions and NGOs, and members of the U.S. Congress. We accordingly urge the Department of Labor to extend such an invitation in consultation with Post. End Action Request. GRAPPO