ILO and Jordan set to strengthen labour market initiatives in the country

AMMAN (ILO News) - The ILO undertook a significant visit to Jordan, led by Deputy Director-General Celeste Drake and Regional Director for Arab States Ruba Jaradat. The two-day visit underscored the ILO's dedication to supporting Jordan's ongoing efforts to improve labour market conditions, empower workers, and promote sustainable economic growth.

The visit came at a crucial time for Jordan as the country works to create more decent jobs especially for youth and women, boost female labour force participation, and increase formal employment. With youth unemployment reaching 41.9 per cent and women's participation at just 13.8 per cent, the ILO aims to support Jordan's continued efforts to create inclusive growth, uphold labour rights, and expand social protections.

The delegation's visit focused on advancing Jordan's decent work agenda, and included meetings with the Minister of Labour Khaled Al Bakkar and other high-level government officials, General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions President Khaled Al Fanatsah, and Jordan Chamber of Industry President Maher Mahrouq. The ILO delegation also engaged in discussions with heads of sister UN agencies and with ambassadors of key development partner countries that fund ILO projects in Jordan.

The visit also provided an opportunity to formalize strategic collaborations, through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Jordan Cooperative Corporation to institutionalize ILO tools and training materials that empower cooperatives and promote economic resilience. The initiative falls under the Improving Prospects for Host Communities and Forcibly Displaced Persons in Jordan project, funded by the Netherlands.

The ILO is currently implementing 24 projects in the country with a total budget of $65 million US dollars, targeting critical areas such as job creation, gender equality, and social protection. The ILO delegation undertook field visits that showcased some of these successful ILO projects in Jordan.

(R to L) ILO Regional Director Ruba Jaradat, KfW Director Matthias Schmidt-Rosen, ILO Deputy Director General Celeste Drake and ILO Country Coordinator Amal Mowafy during field visit to ILO projects in Jordan. 11 December 2024

A visit to one of the field sites of the Employment Intensive Infrastructure Programme which, in its fifth phase, is creating over 2,500 job opportunities for Jordanians and Syrian refugees with a strong focus on gender and disability inclusion, showcased the programme's commitment to social equity and empowerment coupled with efforts in environmental conservation through afforestation. The project is funded by Germany through the KfW development bank.

Beneficiaries, working in the field sites of the Employment Intensive Infrastructure Programme in Jordan.

The delegation also visited a school where the Advancing Healthy, Safe, and Diverse Labour Force in Jordan project, funded by Norway, has worked to advance collective bargaining agreements, protecting wages and amplifying the voices of women especially in care sectors such as education.

A tour in one of the factories participating in the Better Work Jordan Programme in the Al Hassan Industrial Zone demonstrated a key initiative that has transformed Jordan's ready-made garment industry, improving working conditions and fostering ethical recruitment. The Programme is funded by the European Union, USA and Canada. The tour benefited from the additional presence of UN Resident Coordinator in Jordan Sheri Ritsema Anderson. A further engagement at the Al Hassan Workers' Centre highlighted efforts through the USA-funded Working in Freedom project to empower and support workers, including migrant workers, in Jordan's industrial zones.

A migrant worker asking a question during the ILO's delegation visit to one of participating in the Better Work Jordan Programme in the Al Hassan Industrial Zone, Jordan. 12 December 2024.

The delegation visited the Jordanian Bab Al Khair organization which works with the Netherlands-funded Improving Prospects for Host Communities and Forcibly Displaced Persons in Jordan project, and with the Estidama++ Fund for Formalization and Extension of Coverage project, funded by Norway, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom on behalf of Jordan. The collaboration aims to expand access to social security and promote decent work, while ensuring that both workers and employers are well-informed about the social security system and its benefits.

"The ILO reiterates its commitment to continuing its partnership with Jordan in building a more inclusive and resilient labour market," said ILO Deputy Director-General Celeste Drake. "Together, we aim to enhance opportunities that benefit all segments of society, drive job creation and promote decent work."

"Jordan stands at a pivotal moment in addressing its labour market challenges, and its dedication to overcoming them inspires our work," said ILO Regional Director for Arab States Ruba Jaradat. "Through strong partnerships and shared priorities, the ILO is committed to working together with our tripartite constituents in Jordan to create decent jobs, empower the workforce, enhance inclusivity and gender equality, and drive sustainable economic growth. We also extend sincere appreciation to our development partners whose generous funding has enabled this shared transformative work for the benefit of all in Jordan."

Jordan has been an ILO member since 1956, actively embracing international labour standards through the ratification of 26 Conventions. The Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for 2025-2027 will align with Jordan's Economic Modernization Vision 2023-2033 which aims to create one million jobs in the coming decade. Once endorsed by the government and social partners, the DWCP is set to further harmonize national priorities with international labour standards, foster sustainable economic growth, expand social protections for vulnerable populations, and promote active engagement from a wide range of societal sectors in policymaking.

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