Amman, Dec. 16 (Petra) – The Trilaeral Committee for Labor Affairs, chaired by Minister of Labor Khaled Bakkar, announced on Monday that it had decided to raise the minimum wage for private sector workers from JD260 to JD290. The decision, which was agreed upon by all parties of the Trilateral Committee government, employers, and workers will take effect from January 1, 2025, until December 31, 2027.

The decision was made in accordance with Article (52) of Labor Law No. 8 of 1996 and its amendments. The committee, which includes the President of the Jordan Chamber of Industry, Fathi Jaghbeer, the President of the Jordan Chamber of Commerce, Khalil Al-Haj Toufik, the President of the Jordanian Workers Union, Khaled Fantaseh, and the President of the Jordanian Farmers Union, Ouwdeh Rwashdeh, announced that the minimum wage for all workers covered by the Labor Law will be set at JD290 per month, regardless of the method of payment, from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027.

The decision specifies that "wages" include all entitlements a worker is entitled to for their work, whether in cash or in-kind, in addition to any other entitlements specified by law, the employment contract, or bylaws, except for wages related to overtime work.

The calculation of the minimum wage applies to workers paid on a daily, weekly, hourly basis, or any other period, by dividing the minimum monthly wage by 30 days. Trainees must also receive at least the minimum wage during the final stage of their training, as determined by regulations issued by the Vocational Training Corporation in accordance with Article 37 of the Labor Law.

Given the specificity of companies and institutions operating in the clothing sector in the Kingdom and their heavy reliance on both Jordanian and foreign labor, as well as the nature of the contractual relationships of these companies in local and international markets, and with the aim of ensuring and enhancing the competitiveness of these companies in this sector, the committee has decided to adopt the collective labor contract concluded between the Jordanian Garment and Textile Exporters Association, the General Syndicate of Knitted Garments Factory Owners, and the General Syndicate of Workers in Spinning, Weaving, and Finishing Textiles (including leather and knitted industries). This contract, which was deposited with the Ministry in accordance with the regulations under number 34 dated 2023/8/21 and published in the official gazette, issue number 5884, dated 2023/10/1, is considered an integral part of the decision to raise the minimum wage. Additionally, any collective labor contract signed between the Jordanian Garment and Textile Exporters Association, the General Syndicate of Knitted Garments Factory Owners, and the General Syndicate of Workers in Spinning, Weaving, and Finishing Textiles (including leather and knitted industries) will also be considered an integral part of this decision.

The decision also exempts non-Jordanian domestic workers, chefs, gardeners, and others in similar positions.

Under the committee's decision, companies providing security, protection, cleaning, and other hospitality services and contracted with various ministries and government institutions through government procurement will be compensated for the increase in the minimum wage. The value of this compensation will be determined by a committee formed by the Cabinet for this purpose.

//Petra// AF

16/12/2024 23:58:18