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Jordan Times
29-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Amended 2025 regulation enhances migrant worker rights, labour market efficiency
Tamkeen for Legal Aid and Human Rights welcomes the Cabinet's recent approval of the amended 2025 Work Permit Fee Regulation for non-Jordanian workers (JT file) AMMAN — Tamkeen for Legal Aid and Human Rights has welcomed the Cabinet's recent approval of the amended 2025 Work Permit Fee Regulation for non-Jordanian workers, describing it as a significant step forward in labour market reform and the protection of migrant workers' rights. In a statement to The Jordan Times, Tamkeen said the amendments mark progress toward greater regulatory transparency and a more equitable work environment that respects the rights of both employers and migrant labourers. One of the most notable changes, according to Tamkeen, is the removal of a previous requirement obligating migrant workers to obtain formal leave approval from the Ministry of Labour in order to temporarily exit the country while holding a valid work permit. 'This amendment streamlines administrative procedures, reduces bureaucratic burdens, and facilitates labour mobility,' Tamkeen noted. The organisation stressed that the new regulation aligns with international human rights obligations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which upholds an individual's right to leave any country and return. Tamkeen said the change would ease travel for migrant workers needing to leave the country for emergencies or personal matters, reinforcing their freedom of movement. The amended regulation also includes a reduction in work permit fees, from JD2,250 to JD1,500, a move Tamkeen believes will increase Jordan's appeal to specialised foreign labour, enhance market competitiveness, and alleviate financial pressures on businesses. "By lowering the cost of hiring skilled non-Jordanian workers, the measure is expected to attract both domestic and foreign investment, while also boosting workforce productivity." Tamkeen further noted that increased cooperation between Jordanian and foreign workers can foster knowledge transfer and capacity-building, ultimately equipping local workers with the technical expertise needed to meet evolving market demands. The organisation also said the 2025 amendments reflect a meaningful advancement in the legal and operational structure of Jordan's labour market, promoting a more inclusive and rights-based approach to labour governance.
Jordan Times
19-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
'April 30 deadline set for 2024 income tax returns'
The Income and Sales Tax Department on Saturday announces that Tuesday, April 30, is the final legal deadline for submitting income tax returns for the 2024 fiscal year and for paying the declared taxes (JT file) AMMAN — The Income and Sales Tax Department on Saturday announced that Tuesday, April 30, is the final legal deadline for submitting income tax returns for the 2024 fiscal year and for paying the declared taxes. The department urged taxpayers who have not yet submitted their returns to expedite the electronic filing process to avoid penalties, stressing the importance of providing accurate information that reflects actual income, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. Failure to submit a return will result in fines ranging from JD100 to JD500, in addition to a late payment penalty of 4 per thousand of the due tax amount for each week of delay. The department clarified that individuals with annual incomes exceeding JD9,000 (for those without dependents) or JD18,000 (for those with dependents) are required to file returns, even if their income is already subject to monthly withholding. Retirees receiving monthly pensions above JD2,500 are also obligated to submit a return for 2024. Taxpayers can contact the Taxpayer Service Centre via phone or WhatsApp at (06-2222130), or reach out through the department's social media platforms for assistance and inquiries.
Jordan Times
14-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Lower House passes laws on electricity, civil aviation, women's affairs, virtual assets
AMMAN — The Lower House on Monday passed the 2025 electricity draft law, introducing stricter penalties aimed at curbing violations and unauthorised use of the national electricity system. Under the new legislation, individuals found guilty of illegal electricity connections or aiding in theft of power will face prison terms ranging from one to three years, in addition to fines between JD5,000 and JD10,000, Al Mamlaka TV reported. The law also stipulates fines of JD500 to JD1,000 for encroachments on designated electrical easement zones, with increased penalties for repeat offenders. Property owners will be held accountable for such violations unless they can provide evidence implicating a third party. A new provision criminalises the unauthorised storage of energy beyond limits set by the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC), with violators facing one to three years in prison or fines between JD100,000 and JD200,000. Additionally, tampering with or removing seals from electricity meters or switches installed by licensed distributors, when done with intent to steal electricity, will carry penalties of one to two years' imprisonment and fines ranging from JD2,000 to JD7,000. The law aims to protect the integrity of the national grid and reduce electricity theft, which continues to pose a significant challenge to Jordan's energy sector. The Lower House on Monday also approved the 2024 draft public statistics law and the 2025 amendments to the Civil Aviation Law, endorsing changes introduced by the Senate earlier this month. One of the key amendments to the Public Statistics Law grants non-governmental organisations the right to conduct and publish statistical studies for their own purposes, or on behalf of others, provided they obtain prior written approval from the Department of Statistics. The Lower House ratified this provision as part of the revised bill. During their deliberations, lawmakers also recommended that the government adopt clear definitions of statistical concepts to better delineate the roles of key institutions involved in data governance, including the Department of Statistics, the National Information Centre, and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship. The Public Statistics Law forms a key component of Jordan's broader economic modernisation agenda. It seeks to enhance data collection through administrative records and modern technologies while establishing a national data centre to support evidence-based decision-making with secure, high-quality and accessible information. MPs approved the amended Civil Aviation Law, which grants the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC) sole authority to approve or reject land-use plans in and around airports, a power the Lower House had initially proposed be subject to Cabinet oversight. The House also accepted a Senate-endorsed article stipulating that all CARC-issued documents, including licences, certificates, permits, and reports, whether in electronic or paper format, are to be recognised as official. The revised law also aims to bolster institutional governance, clarify regulatory mandates, improve aviation safety protocols, and facilitate international aircraft leasing arrangements. It also ensures that investigations into aviation incidents are conducted independently. The Lower House also approved the 2024 draft law on the National Committee for Women's Affairs, formalising the body's mandate through a 13-article legal framework that ensures its sustainability, independence, and coordination with both government entities and civil society organisations. Established in 1992, the committee plays a key role in advancing the political, economic, and social empowerment of women across the Kingdom. During the session, Speaker Ahmad Safadi and Minister of State Ahmad Owaidi Abbadi commended the Legal Committee for its efforts in refining the draft. He also emphasised the importance of clarifying that senior appointments to the committee are made through a Royal Decree. The Chamber also referred the 2025 draft law on the regulation of virtual assets to the Parliamentary Committee for the Digital Economy. The proposed legislation seeks to regulate virtual asset activities, define licensing standards, and align with international norms on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing. It also outlines the supervisory role of the Jordan Securities Commission over service providers, with the aim of maintaining financial stability while fostering technological innovation. Page 2
Khaberni
23-02-2025
- Business
- Khaberni
Orange achieved remarkable milestones in 2024, culminated by royal recognition, confirms CEO
khaberni - The CEO of Orange Jordan, Philippe Mansour, described the royal support for the telecom sector in Jordan as the cornerstone for converting the Kingdom into a regional technology hub that brings together industry leaders and policymakers from all over the world. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Orange Group's investment in Jordan. Mansour revealed that investment to strengthen the IT infrastructure amounted to JD2 billion. He expressed his pride in renewing the Public Telecommunications Individual License for an additional 15 years. This milestone not only testifies to the trust that Orange enjoys on the national level but also serves as an embodiment of prioritizing customers as individuals or businesses. Customers are at the heart of everything Orange does, according to Mansour, and this is translated into anticipating their needs and introducing cutting-edge services and technologies. Mansour further explained that at Orange Jordan, "we continuously improve the infrastructure of the fiber network, opting for and adopting the latest technologies to enhance the customer experience. In parallel, we also continue expanding our geographical coverage across all of the Kingdom. In this context, we strived to host various networks in our internationally certified data centers, enabling us to move from one point to another at high speeds. Last year, we also enhanced our positioning by introducing new services to the Jordanian market, including Wi-Fi 6 and Fiber to the Room (FTTR)." He also emphasized that the company is fully committed to staying ahead of the curve in broadband services, elevating its fiber network, and providing different bandwidths for its 5G network. Orange is constantly expanding the 5G services coverage throughout the Kingdom in 1,000 sites, within a 12-month period at least. Mansour shed light during the interview on the launch of the all-new Digital Self-Registration Service using the Electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) system, which allows the customers to electronically subscribe and authenticate prepaid mobile lines seamlessly and safely. It also helps them verify their identity and complete the service activation process remotely without the need to physically visit the shops or points of sale. Mansour described 2024 as a remarkable year for the company, as "we were honored by His Majesty King Abdullah II after receiving the EFQM Recognized Excellence certificate, with a rating of 5 stars. This recognition by the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) was received through its representative in Jordan, the King Abdullah Center for Excellence. Last year also witnessed the visit of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hussein Bin Abdullah II to the Orange Digital Village in Aqaba. During the visit, His Royal Highness was briefed on the various programs implemented by Orange, including Coding Academy, Fabrication Lab, Incubator and Accelerator, and the Digital Village which serves as a creative space for young females and males in Jordan, aligning with His Royal Highness's vision of empowering youth and enabling them to play more effective roles in their communities." According to Mansour, Orange's endeavors were culminated by a multitude of recognitions and awards, including winning the Al Hussein Bin Abdullah II Award for Voluntary Work in its second edition of the 'For-profit Organizations in Corporate Social Responsibility' category. This award recognizes the efforts and endeavors of the Coding Academy, implemented under the umbrella of Orange Digital Centers (ODC). The CEO of Orange Jordan pointed out that Orange obtained the award as it offers the Fastest Fixed Internet – Fiber speed in Jordan for 2024 by SpeedChecker for the 3rd consecutive year. According to Mansour, "this recognition is aligned with our tireless efforts to invest in the latest technologies that enhance customer experience, which were also recognized with the prestigious Customer Operations Performance Centre (COPC) certification for the 5th year." Mansour said that Orange continued to comply with the standards and principles of Gender Equality European & International Standard (GEEIS) certification, which is evaluated every two years to ensure companies' commitment and implementation in their policies and procedures. Last year, according to the CEO of Orange Jordan, was full of milestones and accomplishments. These included the renewal of the agreement with the Jordanian Armed Forces -Arab Army, and the inauguration of the environmentally friendly Abdoun Flagship. On top of that, Orange's new slogan 'Orange is Here' was born last year, embracing the values embedded in everything Orange does. Mansour explained that it transcends being a mere slogan, rather serving as a route map for elevating the experiences of Orange's customers, partners, and communities. 'Orange is Here' is embodied in the company's community programs, equipping participants with the digital tools and preparing them to 'Lead the Future.' He said that Orange Jordan is committed to supporting the community through its CSR programs implemented under the umbrella of Orange Digital Centers (ODC). The main goal is to empower women, youth, entrepreneurs, and persons with disabilities to develop new entrepreneurial projects, enhance their digital skills, and provide them with opportunities to engage with the public, peers, and investors during significant and prominent events. He pointed out that as part of the company's efforts to spread digital culture and achieve societal and sustainable impact, "we received the Digital Skills Development Award from the MENA ICT Forum 2024 for our programs spanning 50 locations across all of Jordan and elevating the skills of 27,000 participants." When it comes to the company's focus on entrepreneurship, Mansour shared that Orange gave the opportunity for startups under 'BIG by Orange' and the AI Incubator to participate in the Startup Village Arabia at MENA ICT Forum, in addition to empowering innovative projects from the Orange Summer Challenge to participate in these events as well. The company also supported participants in its programs to showcase their products and services at the Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX 2024), where the public was introduced to the virtual hospital project, designed at the Innovation Hub in Amman. He concluded that in 2024, the Orange Coding Academy and School celebrated its fifth anniversary. Over the course of its journey, it empowered more young females and males, bringing the total number of graduates to 1,550, enabling 80% of them to have access to the labor market. Orange Group also invested in the Jordanian startup InvoiceQ as a future key player in the financial technology scene.
Zawya
07-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Cabinet increases Central Bank's capital to $140.9mln
AMMAN — The Cabinet, in its session on Wednesday, chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, approved arecommendation by the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) to increase the bank's capital to JD100 million, up from JD48 million. The decision aims to enhance the financial stability of the bank's capital base in line with its total assets, which reached JD19.3 billion by the end of 2024, including JD16.8 billion in foreign assets, accounting for 86.9 per cent of total assets, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. The decision came after the CBJ's foreign reserves reached $21 billion. The decision is in accordance with Article 8 of the Central Bank of Jordan Law No. 14 of 1971 and its amendments. The JD52-million increase will be transferred from the general reserve account to the capital account, Petra said. The CBJ has raised its capital three times before: in 1982 from JD2 million to JD6 million, in 1993 to JD18 million, and in 2013 to JD48 million. The Council of Ministers also approved a proposal from the Ministry of Transport to offer 50 per cent exemptions on licensing and permit fees to public transport operators. The decision, which will save operators some JD1.25 million,applies to large and medium-sized public transport buses, taxis, and service cabs regulated by the Land Transport Regulatory Commission, Petra added. The decision does not include the transport sector under the supervision and jurisdiction of the Greater Amman Municipality and the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, as these entities are responsible for regulating transport within their own areas. The Cabinet also ordered the refund of any fees paid since January 2, before the decision was issued. The measure aims to support the public transport sector, which has been affected by regional political conditions and fluctuations in oil prices, impacting operators' financial obligations. The Cabinet also approved the establishment of a passenger transport support fund under the Passenger Transport Regulation Law, with the aim of developing and improving public transport services, ensuring regular and scheduled public transport, and enhancing its efficiency in line with the objectives outlined in the law. The Council of Ministers also decided to exempt 230 trucks and vehicles donated by the United Nations from all customs duties and general and special sales taxes. These vehicles will be used to support the Jordanian humanitarian corridor and provide aid to Gaza, reinforcing Jordan's relief efforts. This exemption follows a previous Cabinet decision to exempt 270 similar vehicles, bringing the total number of exempted trucks and vehicles to 500, including forklifts, according to Petra. The vehicles will be registered under the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO) and will be operated jointly by the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) and JHCO. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
