Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Saleh al-Shaibany
Reuters

MUSCAT: About 100 Omani demonstrators set up tents Tuesday in a district of the capital housing the main government ministries, demanding political reform.

Protests against autocratic rulers sweeping the region have not spared usually tranquil Oman at the southeast end of the Arabian Peninsula whose Gulf Arab dynasty has long been backed by Washington.

In power for 40 years, Sultan Qaboos this month began moves to cede some powers to the partially elected Oman Council, which is so far only an advisory body. Muscat also said it would double monthly welfare payments and raise pension benefits.
But workers have continued to stage sit-ins and strikes over wages, including at two refineries Sunday.

The camp in Al-Khuwair is the second in Muscat. Several weeks ago protesters set up tents outside Parliament. Activists are also camped out nightly in tents in front of the governor’s office in Salalah in the far south and in Sohar.

“The new appointed ministers can’t miss us here. We hope some of them step out from their offices to have discussions with us,” said Ahmad al-Zadjali, an unemployed protester.
Massive placards will greet ministers when they drive into the zone: “We are still waiting for the jobs,” “Get rid of corruption,” and “All officials must be accountable.”

Qaboos has ordered a salary hike for civil servants, including the security forces, but protesters say the private sector has been ignored. “Nothing for the private sector so far, apart from the unemployment benefit. The people in these government buildings are benefiting from the demonstrations,” said Yacoub al-Mawli, a receptionist at the Rusayl Industry Zone in Muscat.

Wealthy Gulf Arab oil producers launched a $20 billion aid package this month for Oman and Bahrain – a job-generating measure that should enable the two countries to upgrade their housing and infrastructure.