ToR - Enhancing Inclusivity and Capacity of the General Federation of Oman Workers (GFOW) for Effective Engagement in Just Transition and NDC Policy Discussions

Background: 

The General Federation of Oman Workers (GFOW) is a pivotal advocate for workers’ rights and interests in Oman, particularly in the context of evolving global transitions. As climate change and policies for mitigation and adaptation reshape economies and labour markets, there is an increasing need for trade unions to contribute effectively to the development of both national and international policies. The principles of a just transition, embedded in the Paris Agreement, underscores the importance of protecting social justice and employment as economies move toward sustainability. Oman’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) reflect its commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate impacts. To effectively fulfill these commitments, all stakeholders, including trade unions, must play an active role to ensure workers’ voices are integrated into policy frameworks. This will help support a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies as outlined in the ILO Guidelines.

Recognizing the importance of inclusivity, the GFOW has made significant strides in expanding its representation of women and youth workers. As of 2023, there are 554 female members in women’s committees, with four women holding leadership positions on the GFOW’s executive board and 61 women serving in the administrative bodies of trade unions. Youth participation in trade unions is also expanding, reflecting the GFOW’s commitment to engaging younger workers. Oman’s youth unemployment rates, at 15.8% for the 18-24 age group and 6.8% for the 25-29 age group as of 2022, underscore the importance of targeting this demographic to address employment challenges and foster greater involvement in union activities. At its 4th congress in May 2023, the GFOW adopted a strategic plan prioritizing the organization and protection of all workers, with a specific focus on women, youth, and vulnerable worker groups, along with promoting and supporting the establishment of social dialogue institutions and mechanisms. Globally, challenges in representation and membership are evident across trade unions. Women make up 45.5% of union members worldwide, yet their presence in leadership roles remains limited. Similarly, youth membership in trade unions has seen significant declines in other regions, such as Europe, where projections suggest a potential 26% drop in union members over the next decade. These trends highlight the urgency of developing inclusive strategies to attract and retain underrepresented groups in union activities and support their voices to be heard and able to influence social policies.

Rationale: 

As Oman navigates its commitments under the Paris Agreement and its NDCs, the GFOW must enhance its capacity to advocate for workers’ rights effectively. This includes ensuring that women and youth are actively involved in union activities and policy discussions. The evolving labour landscape, coupled with the growing participation of women and young Omanis in the workforce, presents both opportunities and challenges for worker representation and protection. A well-structured initiative is critical to ensuring that the GFOW can navigate these challenges effectively and maintain its central role as the primary advocate for workers’ rights in Oman.

Objectives: 

This consultancy aims to support the GFOW by:

1. Conducting a comprehensive study to identify barriers to inclusion and opportunities for strengthening the representation of women and youth workers. This includes:

• Analyzing the legal status of working women and youth workers, including migrants and workers in the informal economy, in light of national legislation, identifying legislative gaps, and comparing them with ILS;
• Assessing the level of participation of GFOW in different dialogue platforms related to SDGs, NDC, and Just Transition, and recommending ways to enhance the efficiency of GFOW.
• Developing an executive plan focusing on key aspects that the Working Women Committee and Youth Committee should prioritize to improve the legal status of working women and young workers in the private sector in Oman.

2. Building the GFOW’s capacity to expand in organizing women and youth workers, and actively participate in and influence policy discussions on just transition and Oman’s NDCs.
3. Promoting platforms for dialogue that include women and youth, ensuring their voices are heard in discussions on social and environmental issues, and encouraging collaborative efforts between unions, employers, and government bodies to address these issues.

Expected Outcomes:

• Enhanced representation and participation of women and youth in trade union activities.
• Increased capacity and efficiency of the GFOW to participate in and influence policy discussions on just transition, NDCs and SDGs.
• Comprehensive analysis of the legal status of working women and youth workers, identifying legislative gaps and providing recommendations for improvement.
• An executive plan for the Working Women Committee and Youth Committee to improve the legal status of working women and young workers.
• Improved social dialogue that include women and youth, leading to more inclusive discussions on social and environmental issues, and strengthened cooperation between unions, employers, and government bodies to address these issues.

Key Activities:

Under the supervision of ACTRAV HQ Specialists and the Senior Specialist in Workers’ Activities at the Regional Office for Arab States in Beirut, the consultant will undertake the following activities:

• Analyze Legal Status and Identifying Legislative Gaps:

Conduct an analysis of the legal status of working women and youth workers, including migrants and workers in the informal economy, in light of national legislation and relevant ministerial decisions, identify legislative gaps, and compare them with ILS.

• Develop Executive Plan:

Develop an executive plan focusing on key aspects that the Working Women Committee and Youth Committee should prioritize to improve the legal status of working women and young workers in the private sector in Oman.

• Assess Participation in Dialogue Platforms:

Assess the level of participation of GFOW and its Women and Youth Committees in different dialogue platforms related to SDGs, NDC, and Just Transition, and recommend ways to enhance their efficiency in the implementation and monitoring of the NDCs.

• Capacity Building:

Build the GFOW’s capacity to expand in organizing women and youth workers, and actively participate in and influence policy discussions on just transition and Oman’s NDCs.

• Promote Social Dialogue:

Promote platforms for dialogue that include women and youth, ensuring their voices are heard in discussions on social and environmental issues, and encourage collaborative efforts between unions, employers, and government bodies to address these issues.

Methodology:

The consultancy will employ a multi-phase, participatory approach to ensure a thorough and systematic analysis of Oman’s labour and trade union landscape, encompassing both qualitative and quantitative methods as much as possible. This participatory methodology is designed to gather diverse insights from workers, unionists, and other stakeholders, perform in-depth analysis, and develop actionable recommendations aligned with the ILO’s objectives and ILS. The process will culminate in a final presentation to key stakeholders, including trade union leaders, employers and government representatives, to discuss the study's findings and recommendations.

Duration:

The proposed timeline and deliverables for the consultancy is 30 working days spread over a two-month period starting March 15, 2025, till May 15, 2025.

Qualifications:

The Consultant is expected to have the following functional qualifications, experience and competencies:

• Advanced degree in labour economics, social sciences, industrial relations, or a related field.
• Based in Oman with proven experience working with trade unions, social dialogue mechanisms, or labour organizations in similar settings.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, organizational development, and trade union support; experience in labour, employment, and development studies within a post-conflict or fragile state context is advantageous.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and facilitating consultations with diverse groups, including displaced workers, migrant workers, women, youth, informal economy workers, government representatives, and employers.
• In-depth knowledge of international labour standards and an understanding of trade unions’ role in advocating for workers' rights through social dialogue mechanisms.
• Strong analytical, research, and report-writing skills.
• Familiarity with international labour standards and trade union rights.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work with diverse stakeholders.

Deliverables:

1. Inception Report: Overview of the workplan including identification, mapping and engagement strategies for key stakeholders.
2. Comprehensive Study Report: Analysis of legal status, legislative gaps, GFOW’s participation in dialogues, and efficiency recommendations.
3. Strategic Recommendations: Actionable strategies for trade union reform.
4. Final Presentation: Summary of findings and recommendations to stakeholders.

Timeframe:

Deliverable

Time Frame

Payment Percentage

Key Activities

Deliverable 1: Inception Report

15 March 2025 - 25 March 2025

30%

Research and analysis of current labour market dynamics, internal review of GFOW’s status, structure, and operations.

Deliverable 2: Comprehensive Study Report

25 March 2025- 14 April 2025

40%

Collecting and analyzing feedback from GFOW members and stakeholders (Women workers, youth, etc.).

Deliverable 3: Strategic Recommendations

14 April 2025 – 1 May 2025

-

Consolidating findings into a comprehensive report, final review, and feedback incorporation.

Deliverable 4: Final Presentation

1-15 May 2025

30%

Summary of findings and recommendations to stakeholders