Labour force implementing gov’t tenders must be Jordanian, says PM

AMMAN — Any government tender floated by the Public Works Ministry must clearly require that the labour force implementing it be Jordanian, Prime
Minister Hani Mulki said Wednesday.

Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, Mulki instructed Public Works Minister Sami Halaseh to see to it that all government tenders are implemented by Jordanian workforce unless it is absolutely necessary to hire others with specific skills.

The move is part of the government’s efforts to ensure there are job opportunities for young people, having put combating unemployment as one of its top priorities, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, said.

Earlier this week, Mulki had urged the Greater Amman Municipality to employ Jordanians in its various construction projects. 

On Tuesday, he called on the private sector to employ the sons and daughters of National Aid Fund beneficiaries instead of guest workers.

In a third related move, Labour Minister Ali Ghezawi announced on Tuesday a decision to freeze work permits to guest workers, except for domestic helpers and qualified industrial zones labourers, with a view to boosting the local labour force.

Also during Wednesday’s meeting, the Cabinet approved a 90-million-euro grant agreement to be signed between Jordan and the EU for the purposes of funding the second phase of the renewable energy and energy efficiency project for 2016-2018.

The Council of Ministers also approved measures related to the entry of tourist groups and individuals into the Kingdom through the Wadi Araba crossing in the south to encourage visitors to extend their stay in Jordan and tour Aqaba, Petra and Wadi Rum.

The measures exempt visitors from paying JD40 in visa fees, JD20 in fees to the Aqaba authority and additional charges to customs centres if they stay in Jordan for two or more nights, according to Petra.