Estidama project concludes, expanding social security to around 46,000 workers

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Social partners, stakeholders, and development cooperation partners during the Estidama++ project closing event in Amman, Jordan. 2/02/2026

AMMAN (ILO News) - Under the patronage of Jordan's Minister of Labour and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Social Security Corporation Khaled Al Bakkar, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Jordan's Social Security Corporation (SSC) marked the closing of Estidama++, a multi-donor project supported by the Kingdom of Norway, the Kingdom of Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The event celebrated the project's key results and achievements in expanding social security and enhancing formalization in Jordan.

Estidama++ supported national efforts to expand social security coverage and bridge existing gaps by enabling around 46,000 Jordanian and non-Jordanian workers to access social security, reaching wage and self-employed workers across different economic sectors and benefiting more than 10,000 companies and employers. Implemented by the SSC with technical support from the ILO, the project strengthened protection and compliance and promoted labour market formalization in Jordan.

In his remarks, Minister Al Bakkar said that informal employment remains a major challenge in Jordan's labour market, highlighting that new forms of work are increasingly reshaping labour markets at the local and regional levels.

Jordan's Minister of Labour & Chair of the Board of Khaled Directors of the Social Security Corporation Al Bakkar during Estidama++ closing event in Amman, Jordan. 2/02/2026

He described Estidama++ as a practical model for supporting the transition to the formal economy through social security registration, noting that it has helped develop incentive-based approaches that extend social protection coverage and enhance benefits. He added that such efforts contribute to a gradual shift from informal to formal employment, in line with Jordanian government priorities, and serve as a key tool for advancing formalization and promoting decent work.

Reflecting the strong partnership and the generous support to the project, development partners highlighted Estidama++'s impact and long-term value.

Anniken Kleven-Gasser, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Kingdom of Norway to Jordan, said during the event that "Estidama++ shows how targeted, time-bound incentives combined with strong national institutions can deliver real results for workers and employers. By supporting Jordan's efforts to expand social security coverage and strengthen compliance, the project has helped extend protection to those who are often left outside formal systems. Norway is proud to have supported an initiative that looks beyond short-term measures and contributes to more resilient and inclusive social protection in Jordan."

Pier de Vries, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, emphasized the alignment of the project with the broader development efforts, stating that: "The Netherlands continues to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Jordan in its efforts to host refugees from Syria through the PROSPECTS Partnership, under which our support to Estidama++ is delivered. At the core of this partnership is our commitment to long-term and sustainable solutions that strengthen social protection systems and

promote decent work for all, particularly the most vulnerable. We are proud to have supported a project that is already making a tangible and lasting difference in the lives of so many workers and employers."

Highlighting the importance of social protection for all workers, Melissa Boutler, Social Protection Lead and Social Development Adviser at the Embassy of the United Kingdom, noted that: "Ensuring that low-income workers can access social security is essential to protecting families from unexpected shocks and supporting wellbeing across the life cycle. Through the Estidama++ project, the United Kingdom is pleased to have supported efforts that improve people's daily lives while strengthening Jordan's social protection system in a sustainable and inclusive way."

The project targeted self-employed workers and wage workers in enterprises operating outside the formal economy by reducing financial barriers to social security enrolment. Through a one-year contribution subsidy and tailored outreach, Estidama++ incentivized participation in the social security system, encouraging employers and workers to formalize employment relationships and enabling a continued long-term coverage after the subsidies period.

In her remarks, Amal Mowafy, the ILO Country Coordinator in Jordan and the Senior Regional Employment Policy Specialist, expressed her appreciation to the Government of Jordan, SSC and the development cooperation partners, the United Kingdom, Norway and the Netherlands for their strong partnership and continued support.

The ILO Country Coordinator in Jordan and the Senior Regional Employment Policy Specialist Amal Mowafy during her remarks at the ESTIDAMA++ closing event in Amman, Jordan. 2/02/2026

She added that "the approaches piloted through Estidama++ support Jordan's national efforts to expand social security coverage and ensure that social protection systems are inclusive, sustainable, and aligned with international labour and social security standards."

She stressed that Estidama++ represents an important milestone within the broader partnership between the ILO and the SSC, working together towards a more protected, inclusive, and resilient social security system in Jordan.

The initiative also demonstrated that evidence-based interventions deliver results including behaviourally informed outreach campaigns increased social security participation by 14%, while collaboration with the International Social Security Association (ISSA) is helping translate Jordan's experience into global dialogue on affordable and effective social protection systems.

The closing event highlighted success stories, key lessons learned, and the project's contribution to strengthening Jordan's social protection system, showcasing how Estidama++ strengthened the system and institutional capacities and supported practical approaches to expanding coverage and promoting formal employment.