Oman Outlines Working Hours and Dispute Rules Under Labor Law

Oman limits daily work to eight hours and establishes regulations for rest breaks, Ramadan schedules, and workplace dispute resolution.

NationPulse Desk

Oct 19, 2026 · 4:17 PM 1 min read

Key takeaways

Oman limits regular working hours to eight hours a day or 40 hours a week.

Royal Decree No. 53/2023 sets a mandatory one-hour break after no more than six consecutive hours of work.

Working hours for Muslim employees during Ramadan are capped at six hours a day or 30 hours a week.

Establishments with at least 50 workers must maintain a formal, approved complaints mechanism.

Unresolved labor disputes must be referred to the relevant ministry department for an attempted amicable settlement within 30 days.

Regular working hours in Oman are restricted to eight hours per day or 40 hours per week, according to the country's Labor Law, which also mandates rest breaks and reduced hours for Muslim workers during Ramadan.

Article 70 of the legislation, enacted via Royal Decree No. 53/2023, requires that personnel get a one-hour pause for food and rest. Workers cannot toil for more than six hours continuously without a break.

Muslim staff members face a limit of six hours daily or 30 hours weekly during the month of Ramadan.

Businesses need to post their rest days and working hours prominently inside the facility so staff can view their timetables and officials can check adherence.

The legislation additionally details steps for settling conflicts between staff and management.

Based on Article 8, businesses employing 50 or more people must set up a sanctioned internal grievance system. Personnel may file complaints personally or via an agent so issues can be handled inside the company.

Should a conflict stay unsettled, Article 9 mandates sending the matter to the proper ministry office to seek a friendly agreement before any labor lawsuit goes to court.

The office has a limit of 30 days to try and achieve reconciliation.

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