Ramtha, May 7 (Petra) -- Minister of Labor Khaled Bakar on Wednesday underlined the government’s commitment to implementing royal directives aimed at enhancing Jordan’s investment environment, describing it as vital for economic growth, job creation, and fostering stronger partnerships between the public and private sectors.

His remarks came during a Labor Day ceremony held at the al-Hassan Industrial City in Ramtha, organized by the Irbid Chamber of Industry in cooperation with the al-Hassan Industrial City Investors Association.

Bakar highlighted the essential role of Jordanian workers in building the national economy and completing the production process. He underscored the government’s ongoing support for the industrial sector as a key pillar of the national economy due to its contributions to GDP, economic growth, and employment.

He reiterated the government’s dedication to advancing the Economic Modernization Vision, supporting the private sector, and enabling it to expand, create jobs, and play a greater role in alleviating poverty and unemployment.

Bakar also emphasized the importance of training and qualifying Jordanian workers to prepare them for the jobs of the future, in line with directives from His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, noting that several current jobs are expected to disappear within the next 15 years.

He added that the Ministry is working to develop a labor market data system to ensure that labor legislation and decision-making are more informed and objective.

The Minister called on the private sector to utilize the National Employment Program, which offers wage subsidies to establishments that hire Jordanian workers, thereby helping reduce operational costs and increasing national employment.

He also highlighted the Ministry’s implementation of the Productive Branches Initiative one of His Majesty’s initiatives which supports investors establishing productive branches in various governorates and districts. These branches currently employ around 10,000 Jordanian workers, contributing to decentralizing development.

For his part, Irbid Chamber of Industry Chairman Hani Abu Hassan affirmed industrialists’ commitment to improving the work environment and investing in worker training and development. He said that preserving workers’ rights and dignity is a national and moral obligation.

Abu Hassan noted that the Chamber has helped train and employ around 10,000 young people from Irbid over the past decade, preparing them for the labor market.

Speaking on behalf of the workers, Reem Zoubi said today’s industry is no longer defined by machines and production lines alone, but also by the determination and ambition of Jordanian youth. She praised the industrial sector and the Ministry of Labor for cultivating a supportive and appreciative environment through training and development.

//Petra// AJ

07/05/2025 15:28:38