King rejects draft granting MPs lifetime pensions

AMMAN – His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday said that he rejected the amended draft civil retirement law, saying that the bill does not address imbalances in the system nor ensures justice.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, His Majesty said that the debate triggered by the law, approved during a joint Parliament session last week, suggests that there is suspicion over the constitutionality of the draft law, urging the government to refer it to the said court and then carry out a thorough study that works out a “realistic solution” that ensures justice for all, taking into consideration the difficult economic situation and budgetary strains. 

Under the law, MPs and senators granted themselves lifetime pensions equal to those of ministers, setting a seven-year service in Parliament or civil service as an eligibility condition. 

In 2012, the legislature annulled a 2010 temporary law that cancelled pension and other benefits to which lawmakers had been entitled.

King Abdullah declined to ratify the move then and asked the government to study the matter and come up with a new law.

The bill triggered a public outcry, with people from all walks of life expressing resentment over the move and accusing parliamentarians of seeking personal gains.

Jurists who contributed to the debate have questioned the constitutionality of the law, because, for example, lawmakers are not civil servants, who are part of the executive branch. 

Following is the official translation of the full text of the letter:

In the Name of God, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful

Your Excellency Dr Abdullah Ensour,

Peace and God’s mercy and blessings be upon you,

As part of the efforts we are exerting to build our beloved Jordan, on solid foundations based on enrooting the principle of equality among all segments of society, we have been keen to prepare a draft civil retirement law that ensures the highest degree of justice, transparency and objectivity, in a manner that addresses the inconsistencies and imbalances that put pressures on the country’s resources and their impact on future generations.  

 The unprecedented regional challenges facing Jordan, which are impeding our economic progress, require feasible policies that help improve the performance of the economy, stimulate growth, rationalise spending, safeguard public funds, achieve the best for our beloved country, and enhance justice and social and economic equality, and equal opportunity for the men and women of Jordan, in addition to the debate we witnessed over the amended Civil Retirement Law recently endorsed by Parliament, suggesting that there is doubt over the law’s constitutionality, it has become necessary for the government to resort to the Constitutional Court for its opinion on the issue and for the government to revisit all aspects of this issue through a comprehensive and objective study to reach realistic and just solutions that are compatible with the provisions of the Constitution, taking into consideration the difficult economic conditions we are going through. 

 In all cases, we should always observe the public interest and make certain that the interests of Jordan and Jordanians are above any other considerations. We do not allow these interests to be infringed upon, whatever the reasons or justifications. 

 Whereas the amended Civil Retirement Law for the year 2014, submitted to us after it was endorsed by Parliament, has not addressed the above-mentioned questions, we have decided, in accordance with the powers vested in us under Paragraph III of Article 93 of the Constitution, to reject this draft law and withhold its ratification. 

 May God lead us all to success in meeting the aspirations of our beloved people to progress, excellence and prosperity.

Peace and God’s mercy and blessings be upon you,

Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein

Amman – Dhul Qadah 20, 1435 Hijri

September 15, 2014