Jordan launches new Decent Work Country Programme to drive inclusive growth and a resilient labour market

AMMAN (ILO News) - In an event held under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II to mark International Workers' Day, Jordan's Government and employers' and workers' organizations, along with the International Labour Organization (ILO), announced the signing of a new Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP), the national framework to accelerate progress towards a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable labour market.

The new DWCP was developed and will be implemented through a tripartite partnership between the Government and employers' and workers' organizations, supported by the ILO.

The event, organized by the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions, was attended by the Minister of Labour Khaled Al-Bakar representing H.M. the King, an ILO delegation led by Regional Director for the Arab States Ruba Jaradat, President of the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions (GFJTU) Khaled Al-Fanatsah, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI) Fathi Al-Jaghbeir, senior government officials, and worker and employer representatives.

The new DWCP builds on tangible results achieved through close collaboration between Jordan and the ILO. In recent years, more than 41,000 decent jobs were created and over 13,400 people placed in employment. Numerous infrastructure development projects were implemented, and 517 hectares of land were rehabilitated and 220,000 trees planted through employment-intensive approaches. Almost 54,000 people benefited from training, employment and certification programmes.

Joint work has also improved working conditions, enhanced social protection and advanced gender equality, including reforms in childcare, workplace policies and a 20 per cent quota for women in company management boards.

The DWCP will build on these and other past achievements by focusing on three strategic priorities until its completion at the end of 2027: promoting inclusive green growth and decent work, strengthening access to essential protections and services, and enhancing accountability, transparency and participation through effective social dialogue.

Speaking at the event, Minister Khaled Al-Bakkar emphasized the importance of the programme in advancing national priorities.

"The launch of the Decent Work Country Programme marks a pivotal milestone in Jordan's journey towards a more inclusive and sustainable economy. It places people at the centre of our priorities and reaffirms our commitment to creating decent work opportunities that enhance dignity and open future prospects for young people and women," Al-Bakkar said.

"This programme embodies a genuine partnership between the Government, the International Labour Organization and workers' and employers' representatives. It contributes to developing a more efficient and well-regulated labour market, promotes productivity and innovation, and protects workers' rights within a safe and healthy working environment, in line with the Economic Modernization Vision and our aspirations for a more prosperous future for Jordan," Al-Bakkar added.

ILO Regional Director Jaradat highlighted the ILO's continued partnership with Jordan.

"On this International Workers' Day, celebrated under the patronage of His Majesty, we reaffirm a shared commitment to decent work and social justice. Over the past decade, our partnership has delivered real results, opening opportunities for thousands of women, men and young people," Jaradat said.

She added: "The new Decent Work Country Programme builds on this progress with a clear ambition: to support Jordan's national priorities by ensuring that growth creates quality jobs, that institutions are stronger and more inclusive, and that every woman, man and child has a fair chance to contribute and thrive. The ILO reiterates its commitment to deliver on this vision through continued close partnership and collective action with Jordan's Government, employers and workers."

GFJTU President Al-Fanatsah highlighted the importance of social dialogue and workers' rights.

"Workers are the cornerstone of economic and social progress. This programme represents an important step towards strengthening workers' rights, improving working conditions and expanding social protection," Al-Fanatsah said.

"We will continue to work towards achieving fair wages, ensuring a safe working environment, and promoting social dialogue, so that all workers in Jordan can fully enjoy their rights and benefit from better working conditions," he added.

JCI Chairman Al-Jaghbeir drew attention to the role of the private sector in driving job creation and growth.

"At the Jordan Chamber of Industry, we believe that a strong and competitive private sector is the key driver of job creation and sustainable economic growth. This requires investing in people as the foundation of productivity," Al-Jaghbeir said.

He added: "The Decent Work Country Programme supports the industrial sector in providing productive and decent work opportunities by adopting international best practices in the workplace, enhancing productivity and investing in human capital. Accordingly, our shared responsibility is to ensure a working environment that guarantees dignity and social and occupational protection, and opens broader prospects for quality employment."

The priorities of the new Jordan DWCP aim to ensure that economic growth translates into more and better jobs, stronger institutions and a more inclusive labour market, in line with national development ambitions, including those outlined in its Economic Modernization Vision 2022-2033, the country's overarching framework for sustainable growth and job creation.

Specifically, the new DWCP will scale up support for job creation in greener and more productive sectors, expand access to market-relevant skills, and promote entrepreneurship and enterprise development. It will also reinforce institutions and dialogue mechanisms to ensure that policies are more inclusive, participatory and responsive to the needs of workers and employers alike, supporting the Vision's ambition of inclusive and sustainable economic transformation.

The programme places particular emphasis on youth, women and vulnerable groups, and supports Jordan's transition towards a more digital and greener economy, recognizing the importance of future-ready skills and sustainable enterprises.

In addition to alignment with national priorities to ensure coherence with Jordan's long-term development trajectory, the DWCP aligns with international labour standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.