By Alaa Hamouda & Yousef Al Habsi

MUSCAT A large number of nationals and expatriates have expressed dissatisfaction and disappointment over the recent US attempt to besmirch the good reputation the Sultanate has among the comity of nations.

This is doubly so as the Omani society is known for its tolerance and regard for human rights. Apart from the laws, Omani traditions urge people to be generous to their guests, provide utmost help to the needy and not to exploit human beings or even animals.

But before this newspaper delves into the public response to the US allegation about Oman’s role in human trafficking, we have to remind our readers that the evidence presented here is the reactions of nationals and expatriates who have experienced the stability and security of the Sultanate under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said.

The Sultanate has been and is still known for its commitment to the rule of law, respect for other cultures and support for dialogue with different cultures.

That the Sultanate is a country which serves as a model for rule of law, openness and human rights is well known. Therefore, it was not shocking for Oman Tribune to receive numerous calls from people of every ethnic background who wanted to express their irritation at the report. They were all annoyed of the implied threat of sanctions against the country.

Many of them even cited incidents praising the performance of the Omani courts and government departments while settling disputes or cases.

Expatriates of all categories express their disappointment.

The response made by Omanis was not surprising to us, but to have even stronger positive response and reaction from expatriates was a little bit astonishing to us. Many expatriates called Oman Tribune and cited examples that refute the groundless allegations in the American report on human trafficking.

A number of expatriates who called us were unable to express themselves in English and therefore they sought the assistance of their friends who are fluent in English to give their evidence on the hollowness of the American allegations. Arabs were also not isolated from what is going on as many of them expressed their concern and frustration over the content of the report.

To our astonishment, one of the callers said: “I have hung on the wall of the living room of my house in my home country the picture of the owner of the company where I work, just beside the picture of my father. The family atmosphere and care I received from the owner of the company make me give the same respect I give to my father or elder brother.

We started our field survey with construction workers. Mohammed Ashab, Bangladeshi national and working as a carpenter said: “Since I came to work in Oman, I receive my salary regularly without any delay and whenever I fall ill, I receive high quality fully paid medical care.”

Devindral Dash, a Bangladeshi carpenter too said: “The Omani laws preserve the right of everyone regardless of his nationality or religion. Maghan Singh, an Indian mason , said: “Although I am a non-Muslim living in a Muslim country, I have the full freedom to practise the rituals of my religion.” The American allegations are mere nonsense, he added.

Ishwana Bowar , a labourer, said: “I have no idea about the report, but if there are any such allegations they are mere lies.” I consider it as an insult to my family and to me, especially because ever since I came here I receive my salary regularly and receive full medical treatment, he added.

At one of the farms at Seeb, Mohammed Abu Tahir , a Bangladeshi who has been living in Oman for 16 years, said: “Every thing in Oman is going for the better. Expatriates in the Sultanate enjoy their full rights and during this long period I did not face a single problem or dispute that requires the intervention of the police. The impression I got from my fellow citizens is that Omanis and expatriates are treated on an equal footing before the law.”

I should say that officers never favour the employers at the expense of employees. They are all subject to the rules of the law, he added.

At the end of each year, I receive my full entitlements including the paid leave, service gratuity and others without any deduction. I have never felt that my employer is exploiting me. I do not have any idea about such a report but I affirm that all allegations are baseless. Ever since I came here I have not heard anything about what they call human trafficking, he said.

Abdul Manan Abdul Haq, a Bangladeshi living in Oman for more than 24 years now said: “I receive my full salary in the beginning of each month and since I arrived here I have not had a single problem with my employer who owns a number of firms. The Omani law ensures the rights of everyone, both Omanis and expatriates alike. All the people, whether Omanis or expatriates, are equal before the law and all receive their full rights, he added.

Mohammed Amin, a Pakistani barber, said: “During my stay here for the past 15 years, I did not face any serious problem. If at all any trivial dispute arises, the public departments concerned deal with the issue with fairness and in a way that secures justice for all parties, irrespective of whether they are Omanis or expatriates. His cousin Mohammed Faydh echoed the same sentiments.

Ahmed , a Pakistani butcher, said: “I came to Oman 21 years ago and since then, I haveínt faced any serious problem. I have not gone to a police station because Omanis are kind-hearted and peace-loving people. My compatriots and myself have not heard anything about human trafficking in Oman even as we hear the dreadful stories about Guantanamo Bay cells. We also have good idea about American media’s bias against Arabs in general and Muslims in particular.

Abdul Rahman Mohiyeddin, an Indian programmer who has been working in Oman for over 15 years, said: “I felt that all are equal before the law, regardless of nationality, sex, ethnic or religious creeds. The Omani public departments deal with labour disputes with enviable firmness and fairness.

Shikhar Rajaamn , an Indian mechanical engineer  who has been working here for over 6 years said: “I haven’t come across anything violative of human rights in Oman. The Omani laws which govern the relation between employers and employees are very clearly stated, transparent and fair. The other laws also ensure fair treatment for all before the law and ban any form of physical exploitation.”

Accolades for the rule of law came not only from humble workers, junior staff, engineers and computer programmers but also from senior managers and executives.

Mohammed Sajik Khan, a manager of the Charted Public Accountants Association in Oman, said: “I have been here for more than six years and during this time, I haven’t noticed a single case of human rights violation. The Sultanate is a secure and stable country, he added.

Nilish Samani , general manager of a company, said: “I have never heard about human trafficking here.”

Women also expressed their frustration over the false allegations. Yousi, a Filipino working at an Internet cafe for more than six years, said: “I have been working in the same place with the same employer for more than six years now without even a single problem. I don’t know where these allegations came from, she exclaimed!

Lilian Giyang, working in a beauty shop, said: “I have been working in Oman for more than six years and during my pleasant stay, I haven’t faced any problem and what I know is that Oman has a good record with regard to human rights. My experience shows that Omani laws treats Omanis and expatriates on equal footing, she added. Hassan Abdul Salam Ebid, an Egyptian who is managing a restaurant, said: “I have been here for more than 11 years and I have never been subjected to any form of exploitation by my employer. On the contrary, the Sultanate government provided us with free education and transportation for our kids, a facility which is not enjoyed by expatriates in most of the countries that claim to safeguard human rights.

“The US should be ashamed of its violations of human rights and bias against Muslims and Arabs. On the contrary, Oman should be proud of its genuine traditions, love for peace and cultural interactions, besides commitment to work for the stability not only in the region but also in the whole world. No words can express our gratitude to the Omani government and leadership who have given a good example of true tolerance of Islam, he added.

What we have published is the reply to the baseless allegations in the US report about Oman.

Oman Tribune