DUBAI: Oman’s Ministry of Manpower has penalized 161 companies for failing to abide by the Omanization law, which requires companies to hire Omani nationals over expats, local daily Times of Oman reported. According to the MoM, the companies each hired more than 40 foreign workers despite the ban. “In case of non-compliance with the Omanization rate prescribed and determined by at least 10 percent, the Ministry will take the necessary legal action.” MoM said in statement The Omanization drive is part of a government’s push to recruit more Omani nationals, a similar push is underway across the GCC where countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have also been trying to increase the number of locals in employment. Earlier this year a six-month visa ban on hiring expats was imposed across 87 industries, including media, engineering, marketing and sales, accounting and finance, IT, insurance, technicians, administration and HR. The Oman government announced last month that the ban would remain in place and that it was considering adding more professions, adding that Omanis should always be the first choice for jobs in the country.