Suicides blamed on joblessness could become phenomenon, observers warn

AMMAN — As five young Jordanians on Wednesday were dissuaded from committing suicide over “lack of job opportunities in the market”, columnists and activists warned on Thursday of the growing concern of unemployment.

Al Ghad Arabic daily's Jumana Ghneimat said the collective suicide attempt by five Jordanians, who were planning on jumping off a building near the Interior Ministry Circle, is an “alarm” that brings attention to the despair and frustration affecting young people.

“The idea of suicide is shocking … Sociologists and experts have to conduct serious studies to explain the phenomenon, including evaluating the psychological state of young Jordanians,” the paper's chief editor wrote.

“We need to address the problem by analysing the social reality through studying the complexity of the economic situation and the potential responses of young people to it,” she added.

Ghneimat voiced hope that the authorities would not “degrade” the issue and realise the seriousness of the problems facing young Jordanians.

For his part, Al Ghad columnist Fahed Khitan described the incident as “a way to draw public attention to the challenges facing” young people.

“The five young men aimed to draw attention to their distress… [the suicide attempt] indicates the depth of the crisis in the community,” he wrote.

Khitan added that to the young men, suicide seemed “the last option" as they sought jobs and a decent life.

He noted that many other suicide attempts were registered previously for the same or similar reasons.

“Without thinking about creative solutions and the adoption of practical programmes to alleviate unemployment rates, the five young men’s attempt would turn into a phenomenon that many jobless youths would follow,” Khitan warned.

He emphasised the importance of addressing the issue instead of “covering it up”.

Radio and TV presenter Ahmad Srour criticised on Facebook the strategies and plans set but not implemented for youths around the Kingdom.

Taking on a sardonic tone, Abu Fawaz (@_dragma) wrote on Twitter: “This is why the Jordan Gate towers are not finished yet; they don’t want us to commit suicide there.”  

He was referring to the suspended project of the twin towers near the 6th Circle.

But Rasha Al Hadeed (@RashaAlHadeed) adopted a more sombre tone. 

“Young people are asking for jobs; they are tired; they cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Their youth is being wasted,” she warned.

Unemployment among Jordanians who hold university degrees stands at 20.2 per cent, according to Department of Statistics figures covering the first quarter of 2016.

Unemployment among males who hold bachelor’s degrees was 22.2 per cent, while among females, it was 76.7 per cent.

The Kingdom’s general unemployment rate in the January-March period stood at 14.6 per cent — 12.7 per cent among males and 23.7 per cent for females. Irbid registered the highest joblessness rate (18.5 per cent), while Amman had the lowest (11 per cent).