Whether you are an expatriate owed wages or gratuity, or a company facing a claim from a former employee, an experienced labour lawyer in Oman can turn an uncertain dispute into a managed process. Dr. Abdullah Al Rashdi Office, Advocates and Legal Consultants is based in Al Khuwair, Muscat, and acts for employees and employers across the Sultanate, drawing on over 20 years of experience.
When do you need an employment lawyer in Muscat?
- Your employment has been terminated without a valid reason, or without the procedure the law requires (unfair dismissal).
- Your salary has been delayed, reduced or withheld.
- Your employer disputes your end of service gratuity, unused annual leave or notice pay.
- You have received a warning or disciplinary penalty that you believe is unjustified.
- You are an expatriate with a dispute linked to your work permit, residence card, return ticket or an absence-from-work report filed against you.
- You are an employer and a complaint has been lodged against your company with the Ministry of Labour, or a claim has reached court.
- You are a foreign investor setting up in Oman and want compliant employment contracts from the start.
How we help employees and employers
Oman issued a new Labour Law in 2023, reorganising many rules on contracts, termination, discipline and entitlements, so we assess every matter against the provisions in force. Our work includes:
- Labour complaints: filing complaints with the labour dispute settlement department at the Ministry of Labour and following them through the amicable settlement stage.
- Court proceedings: taking the case forward once it is referred to court, before the Primary Court and, where necessary, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
- Defending companies: preparing applications, statements of claim and defence memoranda, and answering employee claims.
- Representing employees: claiming unpaid wages, end of service gratuity, compensation for unfair dismissal and other statutory rights.
- Calculating entitlements under the Oman Labour Law and the employment contract before a claim is filed or a settlement is signed.
- Negotiated settlements where they serve the client better than litigation.
- Enforcement of labour judgments once they are issued.
- Prevention: drafting and reviewing employment contracts, disciplinary regulations and HR policies.
How we work with you
- First contact: message us on WhatsApp, call, or visit the office and outline the dispute.
- Document review: we examine your contract, payslips, correspondence and any termination letter.
- Legal opinion: we explain your position and your options (settlement, complaint or defence) without promising a particular outcome.
- Ministry of Labour stage: we prepare the complaint or the response and follow the settlement sessions.
- Litigation: if no settlement is reached, we pursue or defend the case in court.
- Judgment and enforcement: we follow the judgment, any appeal, and its enforcement.
Documents to prepare
- Your employment contract and any amendments.
- Payslips or bank statements showing salary transfers.
- Passport, residence card and work permit details (for expatriates).
- Termination or resignation letter, warnings and any investigation records.
- Relevant emails and messages.
- For employers: work regulations, disciplinary regulations, attendance and payroll records.
Court proceedings in Oman are conducted in Arabic. If your documents are in English, our legal translation service can prepare them for submission.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to go to the Ministry of Labour before court?
Individual labour disputes usually begin with a complaint to the Ministry of Labour, which tries to settle the matter amicably. If settlement fails, the dispute is referred to the competent court. These steps are subject to time limits set by law, so it is wise to seek advice as soon as the dispute arises.
How is end of service gratuity calculated in Oman?
End of service gratuity depends on your length of service and your wage, on the basis set by law, and may be affected by the Social Protection Law for some categories of workers. Because the calculation varies from case to case, we review your contract and service history before confirming what is due.
What counts as unfair dismissal in Oman?
Broadly, a dismissal is unfair when the employer ends the contract without a legitimate reason recognised by law, or without following the required procedure. The employee may then claim compensation assessed by the court within the limits set by law, in addition to other entitlements such as unpaid wages and gratuity.
Does the Labour Law protect expats in Oman?
Yes. The Labour Law applies to expatriate workers in the private sector, covering wages, leave, termination and end of service entitlements, with specific rules on work permits and some matters that differ between Omani and expatriate workers. A legal consultation can clarify your rights before you act.
I am an employer. How should I respond to a labour complaint?
Respond within the time given, gather the contract, payroll and disciplinary records, and take advice before any settlement session.
If you are an employee seeking your rights, or an employer facing a claim, speak to our team about your case. Message us on WhatsApp, call +968 9200 0841, or visit our office in Al Khuwair, Muscat.
