Latest news with #NationalSocialProtectionStrategy
Jordan News
4 days ago
- Business
- Jordan News
Social Security Reform in Jordan: What Direction Do We Want? - Jordan News
From time to time, the Jordanian government, through various levels issues statements and leaks suggesting that there are challenges threatening the sustainability of the social security system, often hinting at the need to amend the governing law. These positions are frequently supported by recommendations from the International Monetary Fund and/or the World Bank. اضافة اعلان However, Jordan's recent experience has shown that what is offered under the label of 'reform' often involves reducing social entitlements rather than expanding protection or enhancing coverage. A few years ago, we witnessed a government attempt to amend more than one-third of the articles in the Social Security Law, most of which aimed at reducing protections, allowing the government to withhold part of its obligations toward military personnel, and conditioning those payments on economic growth rates exceeding 5%. Although public and parliamentary pressure prevented some of these amendments from being passed, the changes that were adopted effectively weakened the comprehensiveness and efficiency of the system. Today, with renewed calls for reforming the social security system, we must ask the fundamental question: What kind of reform do we want? Is the goal to strengthen the social protection system or simply to reduce costs at the expense of working people? The social security system is not merely a technical insurance scheme; it is one of the key pillars of social, political, and economic stability in any country. In Jordan, social security has been one of the state's most important achievements over the past decades, as it provides protection against old age, illness, disability, unemployment, and other social risks. It also contributes to poverty reduction and narrowing the social gap. Moreover, enhancing social security is no longer optional, it is a national necessity for achieving the goals outlined in the Economic Modernization Vision and the National Social Protection Strategy. Both documents identify social protection as a core pillar of economic reform. It is impossible to talk about a stable, attractive investment environment or increased productivity without a comprehensive, fair, and sustainable social security system. Likewise, any serious economic reform plan cannot succeed without a strong social safety net that protects vulnerable groups from the impacts of economic transformation and mitigates poverty and unemployment. Social security is not a burden on the economy, it is a prerequisite for its success and sustainability. If there is a genuine need to reform the Social Security Law, the starting point should be expanding coverage, not limiting it. Currently, nearly half of Jordan's labor force is not covered by social security, most of them working in the informal sector or as self-employed individuals. What we need are flexible and simplified contribution mechanisms that respond to the diversity of modern work arrangements, supported by incentivizing government policies, not exclusionary measures that increase vulnerability. The policy of expanding early retirement, especially forced retirement in the public sector, has become a burden on the system and threatens its sustainability. These policies must be halted. Exempting youth from some types of insurance coverage is a serious mistake that must be corrected, as it undermines the principle of equality and exposes future generations to weak retirement protection. Similarly, the decision to link the government's contributions for military personnel to economic growth rates must be reversed. Real reform must include all workers without discrimination and provide employment incentives that do not compromise their fundamental rights. Reforming the social security system in Jordan is not a routine technical measure, it is a political, economic, and social decision that affects the future of millions of Jordanians. Therefore, any amendments to this law must be based on principles of justice, inclusiveness, and sustainability, not on austerity approaches that threaten the structure of social protection and reduce the gains of working people. We must understand that social security is a long-term investment in societal stability, not a cost that should be minimized.
Jordan News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Jordan News
Minister of Social Development Discusses Areas of Cooperation with UNICEF Representative - Jordan News
Minister of Social Development Discusses Areas of Cooperation with UNICEF Representative Minister of Social Development and Chair of the Ministerial Committee for Women's Empowerment, Wafaa Bani Mustafa, met on Sunday with UNICEF Representative in Jordan, Philippe Duamelle, to explore avenues of collaboration within the framework of the National Social Protection Strategy (2025–2033) and its first executive plan (2025–2028). اضافة اعلان Bani Mustafa highlighted the importance of partnership with UNICEF in supporting social protection programs at both the policy and programmatic levels, empowering the most vulnerable groups, and strengthening and expanding the scope of cooperation. She reviewed the joint programs implemented in partnership with UNICEF, especially the update of the National Social Protection Strategy, which involved technical support, extensive national consultations across governorates and sectors, and the preparation of the strategy document aligned with modernization visions, culminating in its official launch. She also noted the communication strategy, which included a wide awareness campaign rolled out alongside the launch. The minister emphasized the ongoing collaboration in implementing the executive plan, establishing a monitoring and evaluation framework, and reinforcing communication mechanisms within the protection sector. She called for intensifying awareness efforts on social protection programs across the Kingdom. She also stressed the need to continue the partnership with UNICEF through initiatives such as: Building media capacities in social protection. Developing a mechanism to classify associations and enhancing the role of the volunteer and civil society sector. Institutionalizing the 'Makani' Project in the Ministry's community development centers. Professionalizing social work. Enhancing alternative care services, all of which are key priorities within the first executive plan (2025–2028). For his part, UNICEF Representative Philippe Duamelle praised the institutional cooperation in implementing the updated National Social Protection Strategy and the longstanding partnership in developing protection and care policies, as well as executing joint social programs that contribute to improving social services and supporting target groups. (Petra)
Ammon
6 days ago
- Politics
- Ammon
Jordan, UNICEF discuss partnership on social protection strategy
Ammon News - Minister of Social Development Wafaa Bani Mustafa met with UNICEF Representative in Jordan Philippe Duamelle to discuss cooperation in implementing the 2025–2033 National Social Protection Strategy and its first action plan (2025–2028). Bani Mustafa highlighted the importance of UNICEF's role in supporting social protection programs, policy development, and empowering vulnerable groups. She emphasized the shared efforts in updating the national strategy, including technical support, extensive consultations, and a national awareness campaign. She also stressed the need to continue working on the strategy's implementation plan, monitoring and evaluation, and expanding communication efforts across the kingdom. The minister pointed to future cooperation in areas like media capacity-building, classifying associations, strengthening civil society and volunteer sectors, institutionalizing the Makani program, professionalizing social work, and enhancing alternative care services.
Libya Observer
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Libya Observer
Preparing a cost report for social protection programs in Libya
by Anas Mon, 14/07/2025 - 19:16 In line with the National Social Protection Strategy, the National Council for Economic and Social Development held a special event to announce the results of the project on budget summaries for the social protection, health, and education sectors. The event was attended by key government officials, UNICEF representatives, and UN coordinators, alongside experts and stakeholders. It showcased the work of a national team representing various ministries and institutions, in partnership with UNICEF. The event also marked the signing of the 2025–2026 Joint Work Plan between the Council and UNICEF, reinforcing collaboration on social protection initiatives. News Tagged:
Ammon
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Ammon
Jordan, Turkey discuss boosting social cooperation
Ammon News - Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa met on Monday with Turkish Ambassador to the Kingdom Yakup Caymazoglu to discuss means of strengthening bilateral cooperation in various social sectors. According to a statement issued by the Ministry, Bani Mustafa reviewed Jordan's leading efforts in the field of social protection, highlighting the launch of the National Social Protection Strategy (2025–2033), which is aligned with the country's political, economic, and administrative modernization visions. She stressed that social protection enjoys high-level royal attention and that its implementation will be carried out in partnership with various ministries and national institutions. The strategy, she said, was developed through nationwide consultations involving stakeholders and relevant entities. Bani Mustafa also underscored the significance of Jordan's participation in the International Family Forum titled "Protecting and Strengthening the Family in the Face of Global Challenges," set to be held later this week in Turkey, with ministerial participation from several countries. She noted that the forum will provide an opportunity to exchange expertise and best practices, especially as Jordan has recently made notable advancements in social protection. For his part, Ambassador Caymazoglu commended the depth of Jordanian-Turkish relations and emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation in the area of social protection. He expressed interest in formalizing this cooperation through memoranda of understanding to facilitate the exchange of expertise. Petra
