“But let me tell you one thing: it really will not help in any way. Most companies don’t issue NOCs stating that they will lose their visa for hiring another expatriate. While the government has not made it clear if that is actually the case, I can tell you that most companies will try re-hiring an expatriate on that visa; not hire an Omani.

“So who is at fault now? I personally feel that this is a one-sided game. I am a man who believes that everyone must be given a fair chance in life. If that is the case, then he or she will work harder, which in turn will amount to higher productivity and higher revenues, and that will ultimately turn out to be a better way for the country to progress.”

Sudhir’s comments are further echoed by numerous voters who have voiced their opinion on Twitter.

Meanwhile, in his recent interview with local media, Shashwar al Balushi is quoted as saying: “I think expats must understand the company has outsourced a certain job to them so they should be fair to the company by honouring the two-year contract. In this manner, the NOC is good and should stay and expats must honour their contract.

“If an expat worker has completed his two-year contract and wants to leave the current employer, he must be allowed to leave without the need for an NOC,” al Balushi added

The ISFU team has been conducting meetings with different Tanfeedh initiative teams to evaluate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and find solutions for the challenges they face – and a verdict on the NOC is expected to be reached soon.

But until then, the existing laws are still in order, and Varun and Lata – among many other angry expatriates – will continue to be affected by the rule that is the NOC.

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