MUSCAT: The General Federation of Oman Workers (GFOW) has highlighted the importance of continuing to report for duty while employment complaints are being considered, stressing that workers can challenge duties that fall outside their contracts through official channels.
In awareness material, the federation explained that workers have the right to lodge complaints and seek their entitlements through legal procedures. However, they must continue to fulfil their job responsibilities while the contractual relationship remains in force.
Employers, meanwhile, must specify the nature of the work and agreed duties in the employment contract. Workers should not be assigned tasks that differ substantially from the agreed work or specified job description, except in cases permitted by law or with the worker’s consent, in accordance with the relevant procedures.
The federation illustrated the issue through a case involving workers who began their duties after completing six months of training. They found that some assigned tasks differed from those stipulated in their employment contracts and from the work for which they had been trained.
The workers submitted a complaint seeking to resolve the matter but stopped attending work while their complaint was being considered. The company subsequently decided not to pay their salaries for the period of absence.
When the matter was referred to the competent authorities, the disputed duties and the consequences of the workers’ absence were examined. The awareness material explained that the workers were entitled to object to assignments outside the scope of their contracts, but could have pursued the matter through official channels while continuing to work until a decision was reached.
The federation stressed that workers have the right to object and seek a settlement. Continuing to attend work and perform their duties while a complaint is under consideration helps preserve their position and rights.
