Jordan’s Ministry of Labor and the International Labour Organization (ILO) signed an agreement on Monday launching the “Better Work and Labor Governance to Support Jordan’s Garment Sector” project. The agreement builds on a letter of intent the government and the ILO signed in July. The Jordan News Agency reports:
The project will provide practical support to factories to improve compliance with labor standards. It will also bolster national efforts to prevent forced labor, promote fair recruitment, expand access to reliable worker support and representation mechanisms, and reinforce institutions responsible for protecting workers’ rights.
The initiative also seeks to improve access to support services, including through the establishment of a dedicated worker service center, particularly for migrant workers and women.
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Alongside factory-level support, the project will improve systems for handling complaints and resolving labor disputes, while expanding workers’ access to effective grievance and representation mechanisms, particularly for women and migrant workers.
It will also support the establishment and activation of the National Joint Council for the Jordan Garment and Textile Industry, which will serve as a platform for coordination, social dialogue and monitoring progress among stakeholders.
The project starts with a three-month preparatory phase to set up governance, complete baseline assessments, and approve work plans. Labor Minister Nidal Qatamin called the garment and textile sector a “priority industry with significant potential.” ILO Regional Director for Arab States Ruba Jaradat said the aim is “to keep decent work at the center of the sector’s growth while supporting its long-term resilience and competitiveness.”