This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000588 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARPI (S. STEINGER), DRL (J. DEMARIA) 
STATE ALSO FOR NEA/PI (S. FRANCESKI AND B. ORBACH) 
DEPARTMENT PASS USTR FOR J. BUNTIN AND A. ROSENBERG 
DOL FOR J. SHEA, B. SHEPARD AND J. RUDE 
US MISSION GENEVA FOR LABOR ATTACHE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ELAB ETRD KMPI PGOV PHUM MU
SUBJECT: LABOR FEEDBACK ON ILO VISIT, NEED FOR TECHNICAL 
ASSISTANCE 
 
REF: A. MUSCAT 531 
     ¶B. MUSCAT 512 
 
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SUMMARY 
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¶1.  In meetings held April 3-4, an International Labor 
Organization (ILO) delegation met with Ministry of Manpower 
officials, employers and worker committee representatives to 
discuss ongoing labor reforms and proposed plans for 
technical assistance.  Minister of Manpower Juma bin Ali bin 
Jumaa told employers to get ready:  "Unions are coming."  The 
delegation agreed to review ongoing reforms and return with 
compliance recommendations in mid-May.  While most committee 
members are encouraged by imminent signs of reform,  some 
were unimpressed with the ILO sales pitch and continued to 
press for details of planned technical assistance, arguing 
that without immediate access to basic skills building and 
union education, current members will be unprepared for 2007 
elections to the Main Representative Committee.  End Summary. 
 
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Maqbul's Commitments Under ILO Review 
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¶2.  An International Labor Organization (ILO) delegation held 
meetings in Muscat from April 3-4 to discuss ongoing labor 
reforms with the Ministry of Manpower and proposed technical 
assistance plans with Main Representative Committee (MRC) 
members.  (Note:  MRC is the Omani equivalent of a National 
Committee of Union Representatives.  End Note.) According to 
MRC members with whom ILO met, the ILO's focus is on 
reforming the labor law first, arguing that without the 
necessary reform and implementing regulations, it will be 
difficult to provide detailed technical assistance to the 
committees.  The ILO delegation discussed all the commitments 
made by Minister of Commerce and Industry Maqbul bin Ali 
Sultan in his March 26 letter to Congress (ref A) and is 
expected to return to Muscat mid-May with recommendations for 
compliance.  Committee members were aware of, and encouraged 
by, the October 31 deadline pledged by Minister Maqbul. 
 
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Technical Assistance: This Year? 
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¶3.  In meetings with MRC members, employers, and the Ministry 
of Manpower (MOM), the ILO delegation discussed a possible 
timeframe for delivery of technical assistance.  However, 
committee members complained to PolOff that the ILO proposal 
is still vague (no agenda or workshop ideas were presented) 
and draws distinct links between Bahrain and Oman, something 
the committee members feel is unlikely to help their 
situation given the longer history of unionization in 
Bahrain.  One committee member also complained that ongoing 
visits by the ILO, a recent visit by the Solidarity Center, 
and other offers of assistance appear to be duplicative 
efforts lacking central organization. 
 
¶4.  The ILO delegation drew sharp but divided criticism over 
its projected timeframe for initial delivery of workshops in 
June, July, and August.  While one MRC member complained that 
this was too soon, particularly given the lack of a detailed 
plan, others complained that it's been too long in the works. 
 Regardless of commitment or plan, any implementor now will 
face the seasonal challenge of the impending "summer 
slow-down," when both public and private-sector Omanis take 
leave of the summer heat. 
 
¶5.  Despite debate over ILO's plan and pace for technical 
assistance, committee members have already started taking 
advantage of other technical assistance opportunities in the 
region.  Members developed strong ties with the Solidarity 
Center during that NGO's recent visit and have been invited 
to events in Kuwait and other regional capitals.  The Arab 
Confederation of Free Trade Unions has also contacted the MRC 
to offer assistance. 
 
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Labor Outreach on the Rise 
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¶6.  In other labor-related news, public outreach and 
education on labor developments have been on the rise (see 
ref B for a recent example).  The MRC has begun publishing 
public service announcements and press releases regarding MRC 
attendance at international labor forums.  The MOM has also 
been active on the press circuit, sending the Director 
General of Labor Care to the Majlis al-Shura to discuss 
expatriate workers and appearing on popular radio talk shows 
to answer questions about the labor law. 
 
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COMMENT 
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¶7.  MRC members are encouraged by the labor reform 
commitments made by Minster Maqbul, but are still struggling 
to fulfill even basic aspects of their existing mandate for 
lack of financial resources and training.  Most members feel 
that without basic skills building and union education, 
current members will be unprepared for 2007 MRC elections and 
ILO participation in Geneva.  Members opined that unless a 
technical assistance plan was devised soon, and delivered 
early enough, a genuine opportunity for progress would be 
missed. 
GRAPPO