Oman’s finance ministry asked state companies on April 29 to replace foreign workers with locals, as part of efforts to develop the national workforce, state-owned Oman News Agency reported.

The country’s move is part of the government’s running “Omanisation” policy, which targets to improve the number and quality of jobs available for Omani citizens.

Declining oil prices and the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic are straining the finances of Oman.

At press time, the Omani Health Ministry has so far 2,274 overall infections of coronavirus including 10 deaths.