Jordan Times
Wednesday, May 4, 2005
King urges labour reform
By Rami Abdelrahman
AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday
called for speeding up work on a strategy for Jordanian labourers in line with
the National Agenda.
During a visit to the General Federation for Trade Unions (GFTU) to mark Labour
Day, King Abdullah stressed the importance of enhancing the conditions and
efficiency of workers to meet market needs.
The King told representatives of 17 unions that labour, unemployment and
training are major components of the National Agenda, whose guidelines on
political and socio-economic reform for the next 10 years are expected in
September.
GFTU President Mazen Maaytah said the strategy, which is expected to be
developed in three weeks, will recommend establishing a centre to educate
workers on the latest technologies in their industries and the importance of
joining labour unions.
Seeking to boost the skills of local workers and reduce the number of foreign
labourers, the strategy will also suggest means to upgrade vocational training
in the Kingdom, Maaytah added. Currently there are around 250,000 foreign
labourers in the country, according to official figures.
The Monarch yesterday said a partnership between the public and private sectors
was needed to help vocational training centres overcome their financial and
technical obstacles.
During the visit, the King donated a land to the GFTU to build a new
headquarters. The federation's annual budget does not exceed JD200,000,
according to official sources.
Maaytah said King Abdullah urged the private sector to preserve the rights of
workers and compensate them and their families in cases of injuries and deaths.
Established in 1954, the GFTU represents 230,000 members and serves around
1,250,000 Jordanian workers in 17 different industries.
On Monday, the King sent a letter to Maaytah, saying that the National Agenda
seeks to find effective solutions to challenges and problems facing the labour
sector.
A recent Department of Statistics study estimated Jordan's unemployment rate
during the first quarter of 2005 at 13.4 per cent. The study also found out that
12.3 per cent of men and 19.6 per cent of women are unemployed.
Several union leaders said local labourers seek to have health insurance after
retirement and raise the JD85 monthly minimum wage.
Minister of Labour Bassem Salem, who accompanied the King during the visit, said
his ministry will “work hand-in-hand” with the GFTU to reform the sector.