Interior, labour ministries urge employers to rectify status of unauthorised foreign employees

AMMAN — The Interior and labour ministries on Saturday issued a joint statement stressing that the illegal employment of non-Jordanian workers in violation of laws, regulations and established protocols is prohibited, as such actions are deemed unlawful and “pose health risks”.

Under the current labour law, individuals employing non-Jordanian workers without proper authorisation bear the legal responsibility of paying fines related to the illegal employment, according to the joint statement.

The associated fines are no less than JD800 per each non-compliant worker, and employers must cover all associated expenses, including the cost of repatriating the worker to their home country, including travel tickets and annual residency fines. 

The statement also highlighted the Ministry of Labour's commitment to enforcing the law by issuing violations against employers and individuals who hire non-Jordanian workers without valid work permits or residency authorisations. It is imperative that workers are employed only in professions for which they are authorised, and with employers who possess the necessary permits.

Highlighting the consequences of employing unauthorised workers, the statement said that they lack the required annual health certificates, potentially carrying infectious diseases that pose a significant risk to those who come into contact with them. Moreover, such employment practices have an impact on the overall business sector, overburden infrastructure and result in the outflow of foreign currency, which negatively affects the national economy.

Various official and security entities have initiated collaborative security campaigns targeting locations where non-compliant workers are known to be present to take legal action against both the workers themselves and the employers engaging in unauthorised employment, the statement added.

To avoid any potential legal or health-related repercussions, the statement urged employers, as well as any individuals employing non-compliant workers, to promptly renew work permits and associated residency authorisations in accordance with the provisions outlined in labour laws, residency regulations and foreign affairs protocols.