The Council of Ministers, during its convening in July, addressed the major challenges facing the labour market and the issues of food security, e-government and development projects. In its study of market and the process of employment of job-seekers, the Council observed that some youths shun private sector jobs, while others who are already employed refrain from work in high productivity sites under the pretext of getting their demands answered. A statement issued by the Council said that disinterest in private sector jobs and suspension of work reflect negatively on the sector and the economy at large.
On its study of the Food Security Committee’s report, the Council stressed the importance of determining the commodities that form the backbone of food security and specifying the proportions of these food items to be kept as reserve for local consumption. It also underscored the need to make the prices of fish and meat affordable to consumers.
The Council statement reads as follows:
► In a bid to achieve further growth and development and provide services to every part of this generous country, the Council of Ministers reviewed a number of developmental demands of the governorates and urged the authorities to submit to the Council specific programmes of the nature of these demands in accordance with requirements of the practical assessment that determines their priorities at each stage whether the current or the next plan. The Council stressed the necessity for officials to conduct more working visits to regions to closely view the progress of development programmes and requirements of citizens to enhance them and report to the Council on the outcome of those meetings with those concerned in the governorates, in addition to conducting periodic evaluation of the performance of the directorates and departments affiliated to units in those areas and how far they deal with the scheduled programmes.
► Within the framework of the Council's review of areas of co-operation between the Government and the private sector and then reaching the importance of enhancing the partnership between the two sides since the private sector is a key partner in the comprehensive development and is counted on in strengthening its role to accommodate the national cadres, qualify them and get them involved in steering development’s wheels towards a broader level, and since the nature of the production projects target recruiting more national manpower, the Government will allow the private sector to participate in these projects that meet that goal.
► Within the framework of the attention accorded to the employment sector, the Council has examined various reports on job-seekers and the progress of their recruitment in the governmental and private sectors as the Council’s Economic Committee has been tasked with crystallising the set programmes to deal with this issue. The Council will continue to assess this aspect. The Council found, through reviewing various reports on job-seekers, that there is reluctance on the part of some youths to work in the private sector who prefer the government sector, which is one of the challenges faced by the Government in the recruitment process, as well as the impact on the march of comprehensive development and the private sector has to rely on more expatriates. So the Council calls upon the youth to accept work in all sectors, whether governmental or private, knowing that there are ongoing efforts exerted by the Government in creating conditions for employment in these sectors.
► The Council examined the work-interruption phenomenon in some production sites on the grounds that there are demands for workers, although the demands are legitimate, but the ways used to express them should be appropriate, which lead to achieve benefit of all parties and do not affect productivity that might negatively reflect on the economy and the pace of development. Demands are by nature taken some time to be met, when possible, and it is what happened in many cases.
► Believing in the importance of balance and stability of food prices, the Council reviewed the report of the Food Security Committee and the actions taken by all relevant authorities and stressed the importance of identifying commodities, which constitute a necessary pillar for food security in the Sultanate and identifying the necessary rate to be kept as reserve for the domestic consumption. The Council advised to quickly accomplish what the governmental authorities are currently implementing in respect to food security projects within the Eighth Five-Year Development Plan and follow them up, emphasising on mechanisms of market monitoring and price control to ensure the activation of the Consumer Protection Law. The Council also viewed, during its meetings, the exerted efforts regarding the stability of fish and meat prices, so that they are in the reach of citizens and consumers with attention to the stability of grass prices to promote livestock.
► Within the Government's endeavours to provide relief to citizens, the Council approved reducing charges for agricultural land use.
► In following-up the implementation of the approved projects, the Council studied the reasons for the delay in awarding some projects and stressed the importance of giving priority in tenders to developmental and service projects of urgent nature. The Council will continue to examine this subject with the Tender Board, which has shown its willingness to co-operate in this area.
► Within the framework of the good reputation enjoyed by Oman Air at the international level and in view of the requirements of this important sector, the Government will support it to strengthen its capabilities to provide more domestic and international services and facilities.
► In a bid to provide and facilitate e-Government services, accelerate the delivery of services to the beneficiaries and to avoid duplication and repetition in the databases and information, the Council of Ministers has adopted controls for the implementation of e-Government and circulated to all governmental entities.
► In activating the role of clubs and promoting patriotism that binds, historically, morally and culturally, the individual to his society, the Council approved joining of the Sultanate’s Scientific Club to the Clubs Society affiliated to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
► Within the framework of cultural communication with the world, the Council of Ministers approved organising a multi-language mobile exhibition on Oman's role in the Islamic and human civilization through the ages.