Report Documents Steps Taken to Attain World-Class Labor Standards
Reuters, Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:39pm EDT
WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
Jordan`s Minister of Labor, Dr. Gazi Shbaikat, presented today a new
comprehensive Progress Report on Jordan's strategic plan for labor compliance at
a briefing in the U.S. Congress hosted by the Democratic Leadership Council and
the Embassy of Jordan. The First Progress Report on Labor Administration and
Compliance in Jordan highlights the diligent efforts that the Government of
Jordan has made towards meeting its international obligations, including those
under the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement, and outlines the Government`s
tremendous progress in labor reform since its 2008 report.
(http://www.jordanembassyus.org/new/aboutjordan/jordanpdf/LaborReport_Oct2009.pdf)
"We hope this progress report will shed light into the steps Jordan has taken to
reform labor administration reform and to strengthen labor compliance," said
Minister Shbaikat. "We are fully committed to build on these steps to further
improve labor conditions in Jordan, despite the challenges ahead. It is a
win-win situation for all; the Government, the workers, the employers and
investors alike."
The Government`s FirstProgress Report details the various initiatives undertaken
by Jordan since the government`s 2008 report on labor administration and
compliance, which outlines the tripartite strategy Jordan has put in place that
includes: improving working conditions through enforcement and compliance
assistance, enhancing institutional capacity and increasing employment
opportunities. The First Progress report presented today provides updates on
reforms of the labor inspectorate, amendments to the 1996 Labor Code to provide
protections to guest workers, enactment of a new anti-trafficking law,
implementation of the Better Work Jordan Project (BWJ), and revisions of the
monitoring and compliance mechanisms used by the Ministry of Labor.
In his remarks today, Minister Shbaikat highlighted progress made in
implementing the Better Work Jordan Project (BWJ), which the Ministry of Labor
has undertaken in coordination with the International Labor Organization (ILO)
and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The BWJ combines independent
factory monitoring assessments with training and remediation to improve working
conditions and enhance the global competitiveness of participating factories.
"As the first country to undertake the BWJ after Cambodia, Jordan`s
implementation of the BWJ is truly representative of its commitment to
transparency and accountability," the Minister said.
The Minister also shared the First Progress Report and stressed Jordan`s
commitment to continuing the labor reform process with U.S. officials at the
U.S. Department of Labor and State as well as with Members of Congress in both
the House of Representatives and the Senate. In addition, Minister Shbaikat met
with representatives of the U.S. apparel companies and trade associations in New
York and Washington, DC to further emphasize the Ministry`s progress in
attaining global labor standards during the last three years and underline
Jordan`s political will and commitment to continue the labor reform process.
During his meetings with U.S. administration and congressional officials,
Minister Shbaikat expressed the government`s gratitude for U.S. assistance in
providing technical and financial support to enhance institutional capacity at
the Ministry of Labor and to launch projects aimed at increasing employment
opportunities for Jordanians. He said, "We are grateful to our friends and
partners in the United States for supporting our reform efforts and for helping
us make Jordan a successful model in labor compliance for others in the region
and beyond."
For More Information Contact Press Attache Merissa Khurma @ 202-265-1606
Embassy of Jordan - Washington, DC
Information Bureau
Merissa Khurma, 202-265-1606
or
Economic and Commerce Bureau
202-362-4436
or
www.jordanembassyus.org
Copyright Business Wire 2009
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