State television in Oman says the country's highest advisory body has backed proposals for a steep rise in the minimum wage and curbs on foreign workers.

The move is seen as an attempt to ease worries over unemployment in the tightly ruled Arabian Peninsula nation, which has been hit by sporadic Arab Spring-inspired protests over the past two years.

The state TV report Saturday said the minimum wage would rise by 60 percent to 325 rials ($844) a month in July. Foreign workers - who come mainly from South Asia - would be limited to 33 percent of the population, down from an estimated 40 percent currently.

The backing by the Shura Council makes it all but certain the measures will be approved by Oman's ruler, Sultan Qaboos bin Said.