Oman's Labour Ministry denies claims of compulsory retirement after 30 years

As social media posts sparked confusion over a supposed “30-year service rule,” Oman’s Ministry of Labour, on October 27, 2025, has issued an official clarification, reaffirming that the country’s labour policy remains unchanged and that retirement decisions continue under existing regulations.

#وزارة_العمل تؤكد عدم صحة ما يُتداول بشأن إحالة الموظفين ممن أكملوا ٣٠ عاما في الخدمة للتقاعد الإلزامي. pic.twitter.com/mRNlA8ptP4

— وزارة العمل -سلطنة عُمان (@Labour_OMAN) October 27, 2025

Oman's Ministry ends the "30-year service" retirement rumor
The Ministry of Labour (MoL) in Oman has officially and firmly denied recent widespread rumors concerning compulsory retirement. These claims suggested that employees, particularly those in government roles who have completed 30 years of service, would be forced to retire. The Ministry issued a clear statement, confirming that there is no truth to these reports. No such policy has been implemented, and the circulating information is inaccurate and misleading. The Ministry aims to reassure the public and employees that it continues to uphold fair employment practices under existing regulations.

The Ministry also urged the public to verify news only through official sources such as the MoL website and its verified social media accounts, not through unverified posts or online discussions. “All labour-related decisions are announced through formal channels. We advise everyone to disregard and avoid spreading baseless information,” the Ministry stated.

How has the 30-year retirement rumour spread?
It started like most online storms do, a few forwarded messages, a couple of alarming posts, and suddenly, thousands of employees in Oman were convinced that a new law would force retirement after 30 years of service.

Within hours, the rumour gained momentum on social platforms, sparking uncertainty among long-serving workers in both government and private sectors. Some even began planning financial exits and early retirement strategies all based on something that never existed. But before panic could settle in, the Ministry of Labour (MoL) stepped forward to set the record straight.

What does the rule actually say?
According to the Ministry of Labour, there has been no change to Oman’s official retirement policies. Under current regulations, the retirement age and service terms remain governed by existing labour laws and pension systems, which differ slightly depending on whether an employee works in the public or private sector.

• In the public sector, employees are generally eligible for retirement after 30 years of service or upon reaching the official retirement age, which typically falls between 60 and 65 years, depending on the job category and pension authority.
  
• In the private sector, the retirement framework is determined by contractual agreements and the Social Protection Fund regulations, with provisions allowing retirement around age 60 unless otherwise stated by mutual consent.
  

The Ministry reaffirmed that these rules are long-standing and remain unchanged, and that any future modifications would be formally announced through official channels, not through social media or forwarded messages.

The warning against misinformation
To combat the circulation of such baseless news, the Ministry of Labour concluded its statement with a crucial call to action for the public. Authorities strongly urged all citizens and residents to rely exclusively on official, verified sources for employment information and government policies. The public is asked to refrain from spreading rumors and to avoid contributing to the harmful cycle of misinformation that can cause unnecessary confusion and panic. Always verify information directly through the Ministry's official channels before sharing or acting upon it.