JAF, Labour Ministry ink deal to reinstate military service

AMMAN — The Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) and the Ministry of Labour on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to reinstate national military service. 

Under the agreement, the army and the Labour Ministry will formulate a detailed plan for the gradual implementation of the military service programme.

The military service programme will only be mandatory for males aged between 25 and 29, excluding students, those living abroad and breadwinners, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Those enrolled in the 12-month military service programme will be granted a JD100 monthly payment, during which they receive military training for the first three months, to be followed by nine months of training in the private sector, Petra reported.

Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Omar Razzaz, who attended the ceremony, said: “Today, we launched a national project close to every Jordanian’s heart, banner service, which came in partnership with the JAF, the school of patriotism, belonging and values of discipline.”

Razzaz last Sunday said the national military service will be re-introduced in “a new way” as “part of the plan to address poverty and unemployment while investing in our youth”.

The premier had also said that this programme is in line with His Majesty King Abdullah’s “constant directives to the government to improve the level of services offered to citizens to enhance their economic conditions and invest in human capacities”.