Muscat – H E Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals and Chairman of the Social Protection Fund, has issued Ministerial Decision No 1/2026 regulating work-related injuries and occupational diseases.
The provisions apply mandatorily to all Omani workers in the sultanate, regardless of the type of employment contract. Coverage includes permanent, temporary and part-time workers, trainees and insured retirees who continue working.
Employers are required to pay a monthly contribution equal to 1% of the insured employee’s wage for work injury and occupational disease insurance, payable to the Social Protection Fund.
The decision broadens the legal definition of work-related injuries to include cases of work-related stress and fatigue, relapses or complications arising from previous work injuries, and accidents occurring during or because of work, whether in or outside Oman.
It also covers injuries resulting in disability or death during direct travel between home and the workplace, provided the journey takes place within normal travel time, follows the usual route and does not involve unjustified detours.
Claims related to stress and fatigue are subject to strict conditions, including verified medical evidence establishing a direct link to the work environment and proof of violations of working hour regulations or preventive safety measures.
Certain heart and neurological incidents may qualify as work-related if both medical and occupational criteria are met. Occupational diseases must be confirmed by specialist medical reports and clear evidence of exposure, with the fund retaining the right to consult relevant authorities and experts.
The decision sets out firm reporting timelines. Workers must notify their employer of an injury on the day it occurs, if their condition allows. Employers must report work injuries to the fund within five days, while occupational diseases should be reported within 14 days.
The framework also outlines procedures for medical referrals, rehabilitation, disability assessments and appeals, aiming to reduce disputes, speed up claims processing and provide clearer guidance for employers and workers.
Employers who fail to meet the deadlines will be subject to financial penalties and compensation obligations, including fines of RO10 for every 30 days of delay.
