Oman announces early release of salaries for public and private sector employees ahead of Eid Al Fitr 2026

With Eid Al Fitr 1447 AH approaching, authorities in Oman have directed government entities and private companies to release March salaries earlier than usual to help workers prepare for the holiday.

The move aims to ensure financial stability for employees across the country ahead of the festive period, with ministries setting specific deadlines for payroll processing and payments.The Ministry of Finance issued Circular No. 1/2026, instructing government entities to accelerate the processing of salaries for employees working within the State’s Administrative Apparatus. The directive outlines a series of deadlines that ministries and government units must follow to ensure that salaries and pensions for March are disbursed ahead of Eid.

According to the circular, March 8, 2026 has been set as the final date for ministries and government entities to enter payroll data into their respective Human Resources systems. Following this step, internal audit units must complete the review and approval of salary payment vouchers within the Unified Financial System by March 15, 2026. Once these procedures are completed, the official date scheduled for the disbursement of March salaries and pensions is March 17, 2026.

Alongside the government directive, the Ministry of Labour issued a separate circular addressed to all private sector establishments operating under the Labour Law (Royal Decree No. 53/2023). The ministry instructed employers to accelerate wage payments for their workers in light of the upcoming Eid Al Fitr holiday.The circular states that employers must ensure that March 2026 wages are deposited no later than Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

The ministry emphasised that companies must comply with this timeline to help workers meet financial needs during the holiday period.In its announcement, the Ministry of Labour said the directive was issued specifically in view of the approaching Eid Al Fitr celebrations. The ministry stated that all private sector establishments covered by the Labour Law must expedite the payment of workers’ wages for March and ensure the funds are transferred before the specified deadline.By setting clear deadlines for both public and private sector employers, Omani authorities aim to ensure that workers receive their salaries in time for Eid Al Fitr, allowing families across the country to prepare for the festival without financial delays.