Omanization in Road Transport: A Serious Call to End Expat Drivers of Refrigerated Trucks

August 17, 2025
In Oman, there is growing pressure to fully implement Ministerial Decision No. 235/2025, which mandates that only Omani nationals are allowed to drive refrigerated transport trucks. However, field reports confirm that the decision has not been applied comprehensively, with parts of the sector still run by expatriate drivers.

Partial Implementation and Ongoing Violations

Speaking to the Noon Hour program, Hamoud Al-Rawahi, a professional in the road transport sector, said the decision has only been enforced at about 50%. He noted that expatriates are still driving refrigerated trucks and even working in the water transport sector.

Omanis Ready to Take Over

Al-Rawahi stressed that many Omani citizens have the skills and experience to fully replace foreign workers. Full implementation of the decision would:

• Create new job opportunities for Omani youth,
• Reduce reliance on expatriate labor,
• And fulfill the objectives of the Omanization policy of the Ministry of Labour.