The SPF was awarded the International Social Security Association’s (ISSA) prestigious Good Practice Award for Asia and the Pacific for its good practice The extension of social protection coverage in Oman. The SPF won the award at the ISSA Regional Social Security Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in competition with a new record 187 good practices from 34 ISSA member institutions in 21 countries.

“Oman’s ambitious reforms, driven by a bold long-term vision, are transforming the social contract towards universal coverage and system sustainability. These comprehensive reforms address policy design, implementation, management, communication, and human resource transition. The ISSA commends the Social Protection Fund for its efforts to enhance social security for all”, said the ISSA Secretary General, Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano.

Prior to the reform, many population groups were not included in the social protection system, benefits were uneven across existing schemes and covered groups, and there were notable gaps in provisions for common risks such as employment injury, sickness, or maternity and paternity. In line with the "Oman Vision 2040" priorities, which focuses on achieving welfare and social protection, the reform aimed to extend coverage by providing lifelong social protection through an integrated new system comprised of government-financed and contributory benefits, thereby ensuring a minimum standard of living for all.

As a direct result of the reforms, coverage was extended to all Omani citizens through government-funded universal child benefits, universal disability benefits, universal old-age pensions, family income support benefits and pension-tested survivor benefits. In addition, the number of insured self-employed rose six-fold in the first quarter of 2024, from 22,000 to 134,000. The number of registered employees increased from 411,000 to 444,000 and the number of employers from 17,400 to 23,500. Significantly, under the new system some 1.8 million migrant workers stand to benefit from enhanced social insurance maternity/paternity and work injury schemes and from mandatory provident fund benefits.  

Key to the reform’s success was the establishment of the Social Protection Fund (SPF) in 2023 through a merger of eleven pension funds and the consolidated administration of all income transfers, thereby ensuring the scheme is managed effectively, fairly and sustainably in the long term. Notably, the SFP restructured several procedures, policies and programmes, and engaged its digital transformation team to work with the relevant ministries and entities, to ensure smooth flow of data. It has also ensured continuous evaluation based on key performance indicators.

Relevance of the ISSA Guidelines

The good practice is aligned with the ISSA Guidelines on Administration Solutions for Coverage Extension, and SPF emphasises the guidelines on formulating a strategic coverage extension plan, simplifying administrative process for registration and enrolment and improving coordination and the portability of social security rights and benefits.