Latest news with #TamkeenforLegalAidandHumanRights
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.
Zawya
07-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: New US tariffs could lead to job losses, industry shutdowns
AMMAN — Tamkeen for Legal Aid and Human Rights has issued an analytical report warning of the significant economic and social repercussions stemming from the US administration's decision to impose a 20 per cent tariff on Jordanian exports. 'The timing of this decision is particularly concerning for Jordan, whose economy is already vulnerable and heavily dependent on foreign trade, especially with the US. This move raises urgent concerns about the impact on local industries and employment,' a Tamkeen statement sent to The Jordan Times said. Titled "The Implications of the New US Tariffs on Jordan's Economy and Workers," the paper predicts that the 20 per cent tariff increase on Jordanian exports will drastically raise production costs, making Jordanian goods less competitive in comparison to imports from other countries. "This shift could force many companies, especially those in the garment and textile sectors, to scale back operations or shut down entirely," the report added. Early estimates suggest that a 20 to 30 per cent reduction in Jordanian exports to the U.S. could result in the direct loss of between 10,000 and 15,000 jobs, with women bearing the brunt of the impact. Women account for over 60 per cent of the workforce in the textile industry, which is Jordan's primary export sector to the U.S. and represents 79 per cent of the country's total exports to that market, the statement said. The new tariffs, announced by US President Donald Trump on April 2, were framed as part of a broader 'economic liberation' agenda. The measures also include a 25 per cent tariff on imported cars and a 20 per cent duty on all other foreign goods. In 2024, the textile sector alone generated around $1.75 billion in exports and employed around 77,730 people. Of this workforce, 27 per cent are Jordanian nationals, while the remaining 73 per cent are migrant workers, primarily from South and East Asia. Much of the manufacturing in the sector takes place in foreign-owned firms located in Jordan's free zones, which benefit from state-provided incentives. Tamkeen has raised concerns that the new tariffs could potentially violate the US-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed in 2000 and implemented in 2001. In 2024, Jordan's exports to the U.S. amounted to $3.4 billion, a 15.4 percent increase from the previous year. Major exports included textiles and apparel ($1.75 billion), jewelry and precious stones ($900 million), fertilisers ($130 million), pharmaceuticals ($90 million), and machinery ($80 million), according to Tamkeen. Samira Dasouqi, a garment worker, said: 'My job is the only source of income for my household. Now we are hearing that factories might reduce shifts. I truly have no other option if this job disappears.' Economist Waseem Hussein highlighted the broader economic risks, noting, 'The ripple effects will be felt across supply chains and employment. Without swift policy responses or trade diversification, the economic shock could deepen.' © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Jordan Times
05-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
New US tariffs could lead to job losses, industry shutdowns
Tamkeen for Legal Aid and Human Rights issues an analytical report warning of the significant economic and social repercussions stemming from the US administration's decision to impose a 20 per cent tariff on Jordanian exports (Photo courtesy of Aqaba Container Terminal) AMMAN — Tamkeen for Legal Aid and Human Rights has issued an analytical report warning of the significant economic and social repercussions stemming from the US administration's decision to impose a 20 per cent tariff on Jordanian exports. 'The timing of this decision is particularly concerning for Jordan, whose economy is already vulnerable and heavily dependent on foreign trade, especially with the US. This move raises urgent concerns about the impact on local industries and employment,' a Tamkeen statement sent to The Jordan Times said. Titled "The Implications of the New US Tariffs on Jordan's Economy and Workers," the paper predicts that the 20 per cent tariff increase on Jordanian exports will drastically raise production costs, making Jordanian goods less competitive in comparison to imports from other countries. "This shift could force many companies, especially those in the garment and textile sectors, to scale back operations or shut down entirely," the report added. Early estimates suggest that a 20 to 30 per cent reduction in Jordanian exports to the U.S. could result in the direct loss of between 10,000 and 15,000 jobs, with women bearing the brunt of the impact. Women account for over 60 per cent of the workforce in the textile industry, which is Jordan's primary export sector to the U.S. and represents 79 per cent of the country's total exports to that market, the statement said. The new tariffs, announced by US President Donald Trump on April 2, were framed as part of a broader 'economic liberation' agenda. The measures also include a 25 per cent tariff on imported cars and a 20 per cent duty on all other foreign goods. In 2024, the textile sector alone generated around $1.75 billion in exports and employed around 77,730 people. Of this workforce, 27 per cent are Jordanian nationals, while the remaining 73 per cent are migrant workers, primarily from South and East Asia. Much of the manufacturing in the sector takes place in foreign-owned firms located in Jordan's free zones, which benefit from state-provided incentives. Tamkeen has raised concerns that the new tariffs could potentially violate the US-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed in 2000 and implemented in 2001. In 2024, Jordan's exports to the U.S. amounted to $3.4 billion, a 15.4 percent increase from the previous year. Major exports included textiles and apparel ($1.75 billion), jewelry and precious stones ($900 million), fertilisers ($130 million), pharmaceuticals ($90 million), and machinery ($80 million), according to Tamkeen. Samira Dasouqi, a garment worker, said: 'My job is the only source of income for my household. Now we are hearing that factories might reduce shifts. I truly have no other option if this job disappears.' Economist Waseem Hussein highlighted the broader economic risks, noting, 'The ripple effects will be felt across supply chains and employment. Without swift policy responses or trade diversification, the economic shock could deepen.'
Jordan Times
17-02-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Labour experts discuss challenges facing textile workers
The discussion highlights the vulnerabilities of workers under subcontracting models (File photo) AMMAN – Labour experts, professionals, and policymakers on Monday discussed the challenges facing textile and garment workers, particularly those employed under subcontracting agreements and in small and medium-sized sewing workshops. The event, titled 'Challenges Faced by Workers in the Textile and Garment Sector under Subcontracting Agreements and in Small and Medium-Sized Sewing Workshops,' provided a platform for key stakeholders to address the sector's most pressing issues. Organised by Tamkeen for Legal Aid and Human Rights, the session brought together representatives from government agencies, employers, worker unions, and industry experts to exchange insights and explore practical solutions aimed at improving labour conditions and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sector. The discussion highlighted the vulnerabilities of workers under subcontracting models, where employment terms are often unstable, social protections are lacking, and wages are inconsistent. Employees in small and medium-sized workshops face challenges such as informal contracts, limited access to labour rights and few opportunities for career advancement, according to a statement from Tamkeen. The session aimed to foster an open dialogue, to generate policy recommendations and strategies to improve the livelihoods of textile and garment workers, while strengthening the resilience of the sector as a whole. The outcomes of this discussion could influence labour policies and industry practices, supporting both equitable economic growth and sustainable employment. Vice Chairman of the Jordanian Association of Garment Exporters Sanal Kumar stressed the crucial role of the textile and garment sector in employment, noting its contribution to the local workforce. He highlighted that the sector currently employs around 25,000 Jordanians, including 6,000 workers in rural areas, and plays a key role in attracting workers from regions with limited job opportunities. President of the General Trade Union of Workers in the Textile Garment and Clothing Industry Fathallah Imrani reiterated the union's commitment to supporting workers, emphasising the union's ongoing efforts to improve workers' rights and enhance their working conditions. Other sector experts and stakeholders discussed the need to classify subcontracted factories into two categories, those not associated with exporting factories and those connected to global export chains that adhere to international compliance standards. Participants also highlighted the importance of achieving greater production flexibility while addressing the sector's various challenges.
