Local

AMMAN — HRH Crown Prince Hussein on Monday met with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Supreme Commander Chief of General Staff of the UAE Armed Forces.

During the meeting, which came on the sidelines of his participation in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2018, Prince Hussein conveyed His Majesty King Abdullah's greetings to the crown prince and wishes of prosperity to the UAE and its people.

The Prince stressed the "deep-rooted" relations between Jordan and the UAE, expressing keenness on boosting these relations on all levels in favour of the two countries' people.

For his part, Sheikh Mohammed expressed his country’s appreciation for Jordan’s role, under His Majesty’s leadership, in serving the pan-Arab causes and realising stability and peace in the region.

Also on Monday, Prince Hussein attended the opening of the World Future Energy Summit 2018 as part of ADSW, with more than 35,000 participants from 175 countries, including ministers, representatives of international organisations and international companies, along with several of international scientists and experts.

According to ADSW literature, the event is the largest sustainability gathering in the Middle East, dedicated to furthering understanding of the major social, economic and environmental trends shaping the world’s sustainable development, and to empowering the global community to realise viable and effective strategies to mitigate climate change, according to ADSW website.

The Crown Prince also visited Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the largest in the UAE, which is famous for its outstanding design, structure and the Islamic ornamentations.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday will participate in the Tripartite Summit hosted by Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, according to a Royal Court statement. 

During the three-way summit, the leaders will discuss prospects of joint cooperation between Jordan , Cyprus and Greece and the current developments in the Middle East, in addition to signing a number of bilateral and trilateral agreements and memorandums in various areas and sectors, such as renewable energy, economy, health, agriculture, higher education, culture and maritime navigation.

The summit, in which Jordan will be taking part for the first time, constitutes a “fundamental pillar for closer strategic cooperation between Jordan, Cyprus and Greece at different levels, therefore it contributes to reinforcing  joint action and serves the interests of citizens in these countries”, the statement said.

The delegation accompanying His Majesty will include Prime Minister Hani Mulki, Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury and Energy Minister Saleh Kharabsheh.

AMMAN — The Council of Ministers on Monday approved establishing the first educational waqf (endowment), upon a recommendation by ministers of education, awqaf and finance, with the aim of urging the local community to support the educational sector.

The Cabinet approved a draft law for the higher council for vocational education and training and a by-law for an employment fund, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  

The regulations are in response to Jordan 2025 Vision, the 2016-2025 National Strategy for Human Resources Development, the 2018-2022 Economic Growth Stimulation Plan, which aim at developing the vocational and technical training and education, and the Kingdom’s labour market.

Also on Monday’s session, the Cabinet agreed to merge the Jordan postal Saving Fund with the Jordan Post Company, which are currently two independent institutions.

The Cabinet also decided to “continue treating Arab tourists as their Jordanian counterparts until December 31” when it comes to entry fees for museums and archaeological sites, in a move that aims at supporting the sector and attracting more Arab tourists, especially from the Gulf.

Meanwhile, the government approved financing the Bus Rapid Transit project connecting Amman with Zarqa through a financial lease agreement between the Finance Ministry and the Social Security Investment Fund, where the fund’s financial leasing company has to provide JD140 million to cover building and supervision costs. 

The Cabinet approved an agreement on aviation services intended to be signed between Jordan and Turkmenistan.

Ministers also agreed on the mandating reasons for draft laws between Jordan and Kazakhstan on the accreditation of an agreement of mutual legal assistance in criminal cases, an agreement on extradition.

The Council of Ministers approved the mandating reasons for amendments to the social security by-law of the General Intelligence Department (GID) personnel, housing fund by-law of GID officers, and a housing fund by-law of the Public Security Department officers.

The Cabinet approved the mandating reasons for the 2018 draft by-law for the Rangers, following a previous decision to form a national committee entrusted with formulating a by-law for the Rangers.

The Council of Ministers also approved a 2016 regional cooperation protocol for administrating maritime life in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, under which the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority will be responsible for implementing the protocol from the Jordanian side.

The ministers agreed on a 2018-2020 national plan on energy efficiency, which came to help realise the energy sector’s strategic goals of lowering consumption and improving the energy efficiency by 20 per cent until 2020.

The Cabinet also approved an amendment to the by-law of the Justice Ministry’s administrational structure, which aims at enabling the ministry to carry out its tasks according to relevant laws and by-laws.

AMMAN — Since her childhood, Balqees Bani Hani has been fascinated with vehicles and their internal ins and outs. Her wildest dream, which came true, was that one day, she would break the taboos and open the first female-run garage in Jordan. 

Balqees said it is not only her passion that encouraged her to initiate her business, but also the many challenges faced by female drivers who head to the all-male craftsman zones to have their vehicles repaired, where they usually do not feel comfortable. 

In November 2017, Balqees opened her garage near Irbid's industrial area in a step that she stressed "did not aim to challenge society or the local community". 

“Many people told me that I challenged society. I do not feel like I did so because society was not opposed to my idea. My parents were my first supporters and my father praised my decision as well,” she told The Jordan Times over the phone on Monday. 

Balqees said that she provides car repair services only for women drivers. 

“Many women avoid buying old cars because they fear that it will need a lot of care and they will be forced to visit the craftsman zones frequently. But, at the same time, they cannot afford to buy modern cars. Now that this garage is open, they should not be worried about the type of car they purchase,” she said. 

Although she studied banking and finance at university, the 34-year-old said she did not want to be forced to work only in one field. 

“I attended a six-month car mechanic course. I know that it is not enough but I believe that I will keep learning and gain new experience,” she said. 

The mother of two  noted that men working in the same field have commended her idea as well. 

“Any woman who wants to initiate a new idea should not feel concerned about the perceptions of society. On the contrary, our local community is open to new ideas compared to the past,” she concluded. 

AMMAN — Snowfall is expected in high mountainous areas of the Kingdom on Thursday night and Friday dawn, an ArabiaWeather statement said on Monday.

The snowfall is a result of a deep polar depression that is accompanied with a cold air mass, which is forecast to affect the Kingdom in the weekend, according to the joint forecasts of the ArabiaWeather and Jordan Meteorological Department. Heavy rain, lightning, thunder and hail are also expected, said the statement, adding that the depression will be accompanied by brisk winds that exceed 80 kilometres per hour.

Further information will be provided in the coming 24 hours, according to the statement. 

AMMAN — Rob Woods, Technical Adviser at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Monday visited the Experts Society of Income and Sales Tax and discussed with its members international practices in implementing tax policies and the best international standards followed in the field.

The meeting focused on strengths and weaknesses while implementing laws and a comparison between the Kingdom’s income tax mandatory legislations and other countries, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Society members presented proposals on mandatory legislations and means of dealing with them.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday sent a cable of condolences to Iraqi President Fuad Masum for the loss of life in twin terrorist bombings that took place in Baghdad, killing many innocent victims and injuring others, according to a Royal Court statement.

His Majesty condemned this “cowardly terrorist act”, stressing Jordan’s full solidarity with Iraq and standing by it in the face of terrorism. The King expressed his deepest sympathies and condolences to the president and the families of the victims, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The government has also expressed its denunciation of the two terrorist acts in Baghdad that killed 26 people and injured dozens of innocent people, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Minister of State for Media Affairs and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani condemned the terrorist acts that targeted a commercial centre in Baghdad.

Momani said in a statement that these terrorist attacks are aimed at defeating the victories that have been made previously against terrorism, which have been majorly accomplished by Iraq. He stressed Jordan’s solidarity with the Iraqi people and the government. 

He reiterated Jordan’s stance calling for joint regional and international action in the face of terrorism within a holistic approach.

Momani expressed his condolences to families of the victims, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

AMMAN — Domestic workers recruitment agencies’ marketing campaigns have been under fire of dehumanising the workers by using improper language that treats them as “commodities”. 

Experts blame the lack of sound editorial judgement as well as inconsiderate behaviour in some of the ads published on social and print media. “Post-purchase services”, “delivery in 30 days”, “discounts on maids”, “Order your helper without an advanced payment and cash on delivery”, “We offer you the ability to return and replace your maid under the provisions of law”, and “Enjoy a month of discounts on maids” are some of the examples cited. 

“These ads depict domestic workers as items rather than as human beings. They are excessively harmful and are a text-book case of commodification of humans,” said president of Tamkeen Fields For Aid, Linda Kalash, using the term [commodification] that refers the transformation of goods, services, ideas and people into commodities, or objects of trade. 

Citing a recruitment agency’s promotional video in which domestic workers introduce themselves and end up saying “choose me”, Kalash said that such ads enhance the negative perception towards domestic workers as inferior to other persons, an image inherent in the kafalah (sponsorship) system.

According to the International Labour Organisation Media-friendly glossary, the kafalah system is used as a means to regulate migrant labour in several Arab countries, including Jordan, where a migrant worker’s immigration and legal residency status is tied to an individual sponsor (kafeel) through a contract period during which the worker cannot resign from his/her job, transfer employment, or leave the country without first obtaining explicit permission from his/her employer. 

Kafalah has often been criticised as creating situations akin to forced labour.

A domestic workers recruitment agency owner, who used the term “post-purchase services” in an ad published on Facebook, said that he has since deleted the ad due to the pressure of critics who accused him of promoting the sale of humans as products.

“These people have nothing to do but criticise others. I sell people contracts, not humans, and I provide them with services like affording a work permit, air tickets, medical tests, which are considered as ‘post-purchase services’,” the owner told The Jordan Times about labourers recruited from various Asian and African countries.

The Phenix Centre for Economic and Informatics Studies said that newspapers’ advertising departments lack editorial policies that respect human rights.

He said that it is crucial to enforce the cybercrimes law on the people who post such ads on social media as they are considered offensive.

Ads using domestic workers’ personal photos, passport copies and application forms that include detailed personal information have become a concern for the Domestic Helpers Recruitment Agencies Association (DHRAA).

DHRAA President Khaled Hseinat said that the association condemns these ads, noting that it has sent notices to five recruitment agencies and suspended two from working due to the repetition of this violation. 

“The Labour Ministry is not paying attention to this issue although we have requested them to send official letters to recruitment agencies warning them against publishing such ads. The ministry has been a little more responsive lately and has sent one letter,” Husseinat noted. 

In response, Labour Ministry Spokesperson Mohammad Khatib said: “I believe that ads must be watched by the Jordan Media Monitor [an NGO] and must abide by regulations governing the print and online media work,” stressing that people’s feelings and dignity must be “respected and protected”.

“Not only have domestic workers been described as products, but also women, children and people have been dealt with as commodities in some ads,” Khatib noted.  

The DHRAA’s general assembly meeting next month is expected to discuss proposed amendments to its bylaw to adopt a unified formula for advertisements and impose penalties on violating agencies using “improper” language in their promotional campaigns, Huseinat noted.

AMMAN — The Jordan Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission (JIACC) over the past few weeks has referred several corruption cases to the public prosecutor of integrity and anti-corruption, following the completion of legal proceedings, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Monday.  

An official source in JIACC said that among these cases there has been alleged administrative violations at the Social Security Investment Fund  that have reportedly caused millions in losses as a result of purchasing a land that had been previously offered at lower prices. 

The graft watchdog also reported alleged financial and administrative violations in a tender floated by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority  related to temporary facilities, where new items that were not included in the tender were introduced (via operational orders) and the tender was referred to another company other than the winning bidder. 

Other cases were related to projects implemented at the industrial complex in Aqaba and the Jordan Phosphate Mines Co. that reportedly resulted in the loss of 6,000 tonnes of fertiliser worth $2 million during the loading of a ship to Turkey.

The JIACC has also referred dozens of other alleged corruption and fraud cases, including the transfer of a citizen who impersonated a resident outside the country to undeservedly obtain a collective loan from the Development and Employment Fund without the knowledge of some “borrowers”, Petra reported.

The cases also included one involving an official university staff member who allegedly changed students’ marks to their favour in return for illegal gains. 

A maintenance company and a purchasing officer at one of the hospitals will also be sued for allegedly presenting fake bills to the hospital. 

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, on Monday visited the Northern Military Zone–Border Guards Brigade/2, according to a Royal Court statement.

Accompanied by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat, the Zones Commander Brig. Gen. Khaled Massadeh and senior officers, the King opened a new administrative building, which was established upon Royal directives.  

His Majesty listened to a briefing on a number of projects that aim to improve the conditions of personnel including new streets and renewable power units.

The King also listened to a briefing on the duties and programmes undertaken by the army units in the zone.

His Majesty expressed his pride over the advanced level reached by the military units, praising the personnel for defending the country and preserving its security.