Sick Leave in Oman: Labour Law 2023 Sick Leave Entitlements

Oman’s sick leave law provides employees with up to 14 weeks of sick leave per year under the Labour Law (Royal Decree No. 35/2023). The pay rate follows a graduated scale — full pay for the first 4 weeks, three-quarters pay for the next 4 weeks, and half pay for the final 6 weeks. The 2023 law modernised Oman’s employment framework.

Key Takeaways

• Employers pay 100% of salary for the first 4 weeks of illness
• The rate drops to 75% for weeks 5–8 and 50% for weeks 9–14
• A medical certificate from an Omani health facility is required from day 1
• The maximum statutory sick leave is 14 weeks per year
• Sick leave cannot be combined with annual leave

Oman’s Sick Leave Entitlement

Oman’s sick leave system is governed by the Labour Law (Royal Decree No. 35/2023), which replaced the previous Labour Law. When an employee falls ill and is certified by a doctor, the employer must pay wages according to a graduated scale over a maximum of 14 weeks per year.

The 2023 law updated Oman’s employment framework, including sick leave provisions. The graduated scale applies to all employees who have completed the qualifying period.

Who Pays for Sick Leave?

Period	Pay Rate	Who Pays
Weeks 1–4	100% of salary	Employer
Weeks 5–8	75% of salary	Employer
Weeks 9–14	50% of salary	Employer

Sick Leave Pay Rates

Period	Pay Rate	Source
Weeks 1–4	100% of salary	Labour Law 2023 Art. 48
Weeks 5–8	75% of salary	Labour Law 2023 Art. 48
Weeks 9–14	50% of salary	Labour Law 2023 Art. 48
Maximum	14 weeks per year	Labour Law 2023 Art. 48

The salary used for calculation is the employee’s basic salary. Allowances and bonuses may not be included unless the employment contract specifies otherwise.

Medical Certificate Requirements

Oman requires a medical certificate from a licensed medical practitioner from the first day of illness. The certificate must be issued by a healthcare facility licensed by the Ministry of Health.

The certificate must specify:

• The date of examination
• The expected duration of the absence
• The diagnosis

The employee must present the certificate to the employer. For absences exceeding 7 days, the certificate must be from a government hospital.

How to Calculate Sick Pay in Oman

Example: An employee earning OMR 800/month is off sick for 10 weeks.

1. Weeks 1–4 (full pay): OMR 800
2. Weeks 5–8 (75%): OMR 800 × 0.75 = OMR 600
3. Weeks 9–10 (50%): OMR 800 × 0.50 = OMR 400

Total paid: OMR 800 + OMR 600 + OMR 400 = OMR 1,800

The employee’s normal earnings for 10 weeks would have been OMR 2,000, so the sick pay covers 90% of normal income.

The 14-Week Maximum

Oman’s 14-week maximum applies per year of service:

• If the employee exhausts 14 weeks and is still unable to work, the employer may terminate the employment
• The employee is not entitled to any pay for weeks beyond 14
• Unused sick weeks do not carry over to the next year
• The employer must follow the prescribed termination procedure

Employer Obligations and Penalties

Omani employers must:

• Pay sick leave according to the graduated scale
• Verify the medical certificate
• Maintain records for at least 5 years after the employee leaves
• Register employees with the social insurance system
• Comply with the Ministry of Labour requirements

Non-compliance can result in fines from the Ministry of Labour and potential labour court proceedings.

Comparison With Other Countries

Country	Sick Days	Pay	Certificate Required
Oman	14 weeks	100%→75%→50%	Day 1
UK	28 weeks SSP	£116.75/week	Day 7
Australia	10 days personal/carer’s leave	Full rate	2+ consecutive days
US	Varies by state	Varies	Employer policy

FAQ

How does the 2023 Labour Law affect sick leave?

The 2023 Labour Law (Royal Decree No. 35/2023) modernised Oman’s employment framework, including sick leave provisions. The core graduated scale remains, but the new law updated procedures, documentation requirements, and employer obligations. Employers should refer to the 2023 law for current requirements.

Can the employer require a medical certificate from day 1?

Yes. Oman requires a medical certificate from the first day of illness. For the first 7 days, the certificate can be from any licensed medical practitioner. For absences exceeding 7 days, it must be from a government hospital.

What happens after the 14-week maximum?

If the employee exhausts 14 weeks of sick leave and is still unable to work, the employer may terminate the employment with end-of-service benefits. The employee is not entitled to any pay beyond 14 weeks, and the employment relationship may end at the employer’s discretion.