Wednesday 5 February 2025
Conviction, Imprisonment, and Deportation Ruling Issued Against Three Defendants in Rustaq, South Al Batinah
The Primary Court in Rustaq recently issued a judicial ruling against three defendants for violating the Consumer Protection Law promulgated by Royal Decree No. 66/2014. The court ruled for conviction, imprisonment, deportation, and a fine of OMR 1,000.
The case originated when the Consumer Protection Authority in South Al Batinah, Rustaq received a complaint from a consumer stating that he had entered into an agreement with a commercial establishment to manufacture windows and doors for his house at a cost of OMR 1,800. However, the company failed to complete the work within the agreed-upon timeframe, prompting the consumer to file a complaint.
Upon investigation, it was found that the business owner had unlawfully employed a worker who was authorized to work for another employer. When questioned about the delay and the failure to complete the work, the defendants claimed that the site was not ready for the remaining tasks. Additionally, it was discovered that the company representatives failed to fulfill their service obligations properly and did not provide the required service warranty in accordance with Article (39), in reference to Article (23) of the Consumer Protection Law. The law stipulates that:
"Anyone who violates the provisions of Articles (3, 5, 19, 21, 22, 23, 29, 30) of this law shall be punished with imprisonment for not less than (10) days and not more than one year, and a fine of not less than OMR (100) and not more than OMR (2,000), or either of these penalties."
Following the necessary legal procedures, the court ruled as follows:
The first defendant was convicted of the misdemeanor of working without a license for an employer other than the one authorized to hire him. He was sentenced to one month and ten days of imprisonment, deportation from Oman, and a lifetime ban from re-entering the country.
The second and third defendants (the company and its representative) were convicted of the misdemeanor of hiring a non-Omani worker authorized to work for another employer without notifying the ministry of his details and new workplace. They were sentenced to a fine of OMR 1,000 and were banned from recruiting non-Omani workers for three months. They were also ordered to cover the litigation costs.