Contact:
Merissa Khurma
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Embassy of Jordan- Washington, DC
Information Bureau

February 7, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jordan Releases Report on Labor Improvements
Report Highlights Major Initiatives Taken, Historic Program Responding to Past Labor Law Violations in Jordan

Washington, DC – Jordan’s Minister of Labor, Bassem Al-Salem announced the launch of a report that outlined the many steps the Government of Jordan has taken to improve labor standards in the country. The minister addressed a policy forum hosted by the Peterson Institute for International Economics and the Center for Global Development in Washington and discussed the report with officials at the State Department and the United States Trade Representative.

The report, “Labor Administration and Compliance in Jordan: A Multi-stakeholder Collaboration,” catalogs the programs and initiatives developed in response to allegations that many apparel manufacturing facilities operating in Jordan were violating both Jordanian labor laws and international labor standards.

The Government’s comprehensive response has ranged from the smallest detail to the most sweeping reform: from an almost 16 percent hike in the sector’s minimum wage and the launch of a multi-lingual complaint hotline, to the development of an industry code of conduct and an overhaul of the way inspectors are hired, trained, and evaluated. The Ministry has also taken steps to address the specific issues arising out of hosting thousands of guest workers, as well as increasing job opportunities for Jordanians.

Many consider the most important step to be the launch of the groundbreaking Better Work Jordan program, a five-year joint project between the Ministry of Labor, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation, that will improve labor conditions and standards and raise compliance levels in Jordan through public reporting and technical assistance. Jordan is the first country to adopt the model of ILO inspections pioneered in the apparel industry of Cambodia. The formal agreement initiating the program was signed in Amman on February 3.

“Better Work Jordan is a crucial step in our determined effort to make Jordan a model for labor compliance in our region.” said Minister al-Salem. “We have already been making consistent progress in building Jordan’s capacity to assure working conditions, including reforming our ministry with increased budgets, increasing trained personnel and using international technical assistance. There should be no doubt that Jordan is committed to enforcing our labor laws and meeting international standards. By adopting this new ILO program we are making clear we embrace transparency and seek further positive change. We have nothing to hide. We want to make certain people have faith in the ‘Made in Jordan’ label. I am confident this report makes clear such faith will not be misplaced.”