Al-Safadi: There Are No Political Prisoners in Jordan - Jordan News

Jordan News

06-03-2025

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmad Al-Safadi, has given the government a 24-hour deadline to respond to the lawmakers' demands for including all students applying for scholarships and loans, urging the government to avoid any further delays in implementing this. اضافة اعلان Medical Exemptions Return to Discussion The MPs have revisited the issue of medical exemptions, arguing that the government could provide them by cutting excess spending in various areas. Several lawmakers increased their criticism of the government, claiming it does not listen to their demands, especially regarding issues such as scholarships, loans, medical exemptions, high electricity and water bills, and traffic violations. The MPs from the Islamic Action Front Party called for the release of detainees, with their families holding a sit-in outside the parliament gate. These statements prompted Speaker Al-Safadi to intervene, stating, "There are no political prisoners in Jordan; anyone who violates the law must be held accountable." Suleiman Al-Zaben, the head of the Parliamentary Freedoms Committee, confirmed that the government maintains there are no political prisoners in the Kingdom. Additionally, the MPs agreed to form a temporary committee to amend the internal regulations of the parliament. This took place during a session chaired by Al-Safadi, with several government team members in attendance. During the session, the parliament continued discussing the draft amendment to the Labor Law, agreeing on a modification stipulating that if a work contract is for a fixed period, it automatically ends when its duration expires. If both parties continue to execute the contract after its expiration, it will be considered renewed for an equivalent period. The original version of the law stated that if both parties continued executing the contract after its expiration, it would automatically become an indefinite-term contract. The labor law amendment has sparked wide debate since its approval by the government. The General Union of Workers, trade unions, and civil society organizations expressed their surprise at the amendments presented by the government, viewing them as a step backward. However, they praised other amendments included in the draft law. Arab Summit During the session, MP Khamees Atteh praised the outcomes of the Arab Summit held in Cairo the day before, particularly appreciating His Majesty King Abdullah II's speech at the summit, in which he expressed Jordan's firm stance against forced displacement. The Chairman of the Palestine Committee, MP Suleiman Al-Saud, also expressed his support for the King's words, emphasizing that they reflect the views of every Jordanian citizen. Labor Law While discussing the "Labor Law Amendment," the MPs approved an amendment to Article 31, which allows employers to lay off approximately 5% of their workforce within a year, if required by economic or technical circumstances, such as downsizing or permanently ceasing operations, provided the Ministry of Labor is notified.
Additionally, they approved a modification that prohibits employers from terminating the employment of women during pregnancy or maternity leave. The amendment received approval from the Parliamentary Labor Committee, whereas the original law only prohibited termination of female employees starting from the sixth month of pregnancy and during maternity leave.