Oman’s shura council has passed, with a big majority, a resolution to stop issuing new licences for health clubs.

The Majlis Ash’shura also recommended more control over existing ones and close down those that do not adhere to regulations laid down by the authorities.

The proposal, made by the council’s Health and Social Affairs Committee, was adopted on Tuesday with 60 of the 70 members present voting for it, six opposing and four abstaining.

Ali bin Khalfan Al Qutaiti, Head of the committee, said the panel’s proposals included a halt to issuing new licences, except to those operating in five-star hotels, hospitals and clinics, and giving the existing ones a timeframe to “rectify’ their status and comply with laws and regulations in force.

Meanwhile, the council approved a report and recommendations by its Economic Committee for a proposed “National Law on Standardisation and Calibration”, referred to it by the Council of Ministers.

Salayum bin Ali Al Hakamani, Head of the committee, underlined the importance of the draft law for Oman to keep pace “with modern developments around the world in the field of standardisation.”

He added it would contribute to creating the right environment for the local industry to open up new markets for their products, support the national economy and protect the citizens’ rights and safety.

Hakamani said the committee’s recommendations included the amendment of an article in the draft law governing display of details of a product, including date of manufacture and expiry, on the packet. The suggestions will now be forwarded to the Council of Ministers.

In the meantime, a committee constituted by the Majlis, led by Deputy Chairman Salim bin Ali Al Kaabi, has been holding discussions with workers of oil companies who began a strike on Thursday demanding better pay and benefits, including post-retirement facilities on par with their counterparts in the public sector.

Committee members urged the agitating employees to resume duty immediately, and the two sides agreed that a team representing the workers will hold talks with Majlis members and representatives of the Ministries of Manpower and Oil and Gas, the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and other concerned public and private organisations to study in-depth their demands.

Kaabi, remarking that the Majlis committee was happy with the outcome of its efforts, said the discussions covered all the claims made by the striking employees. Some of the demands, he pointed out, involved the government, while the rest concerned the companies that employ the mainly Omani workers.