Jordan Times
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Economic, social priorities
top gov’t agenda - Dahabi
AMMAN (Petra) - Prime Minister Nader Dahabi on Tuesday emphasised economic and
social priorities top the government’s agenda during the coming stage, as they
are the main pillars for social security and stability.
During a meeting with the board members of the Social Security Corporation (SSC),
he urged the corporation to focus on health and training programmes, underlining
the role of the SSC in providing social security.
The prime minister commended the corporation’s plan to link subscribers’
pensions to the inflation rate, emphasising that this step will protect
low-income employees and provide pensioners with a decent living standard.
Dahabi also asked the corporation to draw up an executive work plan and a
specific programme to achieve its economic and social goals.
SSC Director General Omar Razzaz briefed the prime minister on the corporation’s
plan to enhance social security in accordance with His Majesty King Abdullah’s
directives.
Razzaz said the SSC works to boost the national economy, promote the development
process, create job opportunities and financial sustainability and enhance
social justice.
Pointing out that the SSC plan is to cover all workers with social security, he
indicated that the number of subscribers currently stands at 54 per cent of the
workforce compared to 40 per cent in 2000.
Razzaz also referred to the unemployment fund, which is designed to assist the
jobless.
In terms of health insurance, Razzaz explained that the corporation’s work plan
includes covering pensioners with health insurance through the Ministry of
Health programme for the elderly.
This will be achieved by transferring monthly deductions of 3 per cent from
civil servants’ pensions and JD6 from other workers’ pensions to the ministry.
At a later stage, after the law governing the health insurance commission is
endorsed, the SSC will finance pensioners’ health insurance through additional
subscription, he added.
Labour Minister Bassem Salem, who is also the chairman of the SSC board,
affirmed that the corporation plans are set in accordance with Royal directives.
Also on Tuesday, Dahabi met with members of the board of trustees of the
Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP).
During the meeting, he reiterated that the Kingdom’s security, stability and
economic reforms have attracted more direct and indirect Arab and foreign
investment into the country, highlighting Jordan’s competitive investment
climate.
Briefing the delegation on the main economic challenges facing the Kingdom, the
premier said rising fuel prices have placed additional economic burdens on the
country, which calls for more economic reforms and solutions to mitigate the
effect of these challenges and their repercussions on the economy.
Commending Jordanian-US relations, Dahabi pointed out that the Free Trade
Agreement signed between the two countries has increased the Kingdom’s exports
to the US and other commercial exchange transactions.
During the meeting attended by acting Foreign Minister and Minister of State for
Media Affairs and Communication Nasser Judeh, the premier answered questions
from delegation members on local and regional issues.
Underlining the importance of the Annapolis meeting and Jordanian expectations
in this regard, Dahabi expressed hope that the international peace conference
will lead to serious and practical negotiations between Palestinians and
Israelis, on the basis of related international resolutions.
Dahabi stressed the centrality of the Palestinian question and its effect on the
whole region, explaining that arriving at a just solution for the Palestinian
issue will bring an end to other problematic issues in the region.
Addressing the situation in Iraq, the premier underlined the importance of
supporting national reconciliation efforts, to cover all segments of Iraqi
society, and ensure the country’s security and stability.
WINEP was established in 1985 to advance a balanced and realistic understanding
of American interests in the Middle East, according to its website.
Drawing on the research of its scholars and the experience of policy
practitioners, the institute promotes an American engagement in the Middle East,
committed to strengthening alliances, nurturing friendships, and promoting
security, peace, prosperity and democracy for the peoples of the region.
Also yesterday, Dahabi received Board Chairman of the Jordanian-Kuwaiti Holding
Company (JKHC) Adnan Kharafi and members of the board.
Kharafi briefed the premier on the company’s investments and economic and
development projects it is implementing in Jordan.
Dahabi said the government is keen to promote the investment climate in the
Kingdom and facilitate all procedures to attract foreign investments.
Established in 2004, JKHC’s capital stands at $122 million.