Minister of Labor Dr. Khaled Al-Bakkar confirmed that the ministry aims to provide a supportive work environment to create job opportunities for Jordanians in line with the Economic Modernization Vision.
اضافة اعلان
During a dialogue session organized by the Amman Group for Future Dialogues, Bakkar emphasized that the ministry is working to enhance employment efforts. A central employment directorate within the ministry is connected to employment sections in labor directorates across governorates, organizing job fairs to link job seekers with employers. Additionally, the national employment platform "Sijil" facilitates employment connections between job seekers and private-sector employers.
According to a ministry statement on Monday, the Economic Modernization Vision is based on sustained economic growth and the creation of one million job opportunities for Jordanians. Achieving this requires collective efforts, particularly since the private sector is the primary job provider.
Bakkar highlighted several ministry initiatives, including the National Employment Program, which incentivizes the private sector to create jobs. The program targets Jordanian youth aged 18-40, offering:
JOD 130 per month as wage support,
JOD 10 for transportation,
JOD 10 towards social security contributions,
An additional JOD 15 to encourage female participation.
This support continues for six months.
The ministry is also implementing a Royal Initiative to establish production branches in rural and remote areas, helping residents find jobs near their homes while reducing transportation costs. These branches, spanning multiple sectors beyond textiles, currently employ over 10,000 Jordanians, most of whom are women.
Investment & Private Sector Partnerships
Investors in production branches receive capital and operational support, including:
Wage subsidies for one to five years,
JOD 25 for transportation,
JOD 25 towards social security contributions.
Bakkar stressed that private sector partnerships are crucial for equipping youth with skills tailored to market needs. The ministry, through the Skills Development and Technical Training Authority, has established 15 sectoral councils to define required skills and create training programs leading to employment.
The ministry plans to expand private-sector training academies, beginning with a phosphate industry training academy, and is coordinating with the Association of Banks to establish a "smart academy" focusing on future job market skills. Studies suggest that 60% of current jobs may no longer exist within a decade.
Workforce Data & Labor Market Regulation
The ministry is developing a Labor Market Information System to store and analyze employment data, including job seekers and required skills. Additionally, a Labor Market Observatory will track performance indicators, ensuring data-driven decision-making.
Efforts to replace foreign labor with trained Jordanians continue through gradual workforce localization while maintaining private-sector productivity. The ministry acknowledges that job creation alone cannot keep pace with population growth and economic challenges. Therefore, exporting Jordanian talent to countries with labor shortages is a priority.
Overseas Job Opportunities for Jordanians
Jordan is actively working to expand job placements abroad, including:
Qatar: Initial agreements to discuss the Qatar platform for job opportunities, with technical meetings scheduled for April.
Saudi Arabia: Coordination between King Abdullah II, Crown Prince Hussein, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to secure private-sector jobs for Jordanians.
Germany: Ongoing training initiatives through the Vocational Training Corporation to meet German labor market requirements, including language proficiency.
Support for Youth Entrepreneurship
The Development and Employment Fund has allocated JOD 23 million in its 2025 budget to support young entrepreneurs. This funding helps those who have undergone training and certification to start their own businesses, with financial incentives and support programs.
Foreign Labor Regulation & Compliance
Joint inspection campaigns with the Ministry of Interior and Public Security Directorate have resulted in 70,000 workers regularizing their status in recent months. Intensive inspection efforts continue, with 4,300 visits conducted since January.
Additionally, the Occupational Safety and Health Directorate ensures workplace compliance, while the Labor Relations Directorate mediates disputes before they escalate to court.
Digital Transformation & Service Automation
To improve efficiency, the ministry is accelerating the automation of services, benefiting both workers and employers.
At the start of the dialogue session, Bilal Hassan Al-Tal, head of the Amman Group for Future Dialogues, emphasized the social and economic impact of labor policies, particularly regarding poverty, unemployment, and workforce regulation. He stressed the need for strict measures to manage foreign labor, supporting the ministry’s current regulatory actions.
