MoU signed to enhance Jordanians' employment prospects in labour market

AMMAN — Ministry of Labour and Department of Statistics (DoS) on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding to improve "quality" of studies and analyses about the labour market, enhance statistical operations and data exchange, which would enable the ministry to make "sound" decisions based on "accurate and high-quality" data.

Labour Minister Khaled Bakkar stressed the MoU's "strategic" importance in developing the labour market information system and observatory and conducting "in-depth" sectorial studies, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Bakkar noted the memo supports the establishment of a "comprehensive" database of labour market indicators, which would enable the ministry to make decisions based on scientific foundations and a "clear and highly transparent" approach.

The minister added that this step would contribute to achieving the goals of the Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV).

He noted that the MoU would provide "accurate" data that identify sectors that need Jordanian labour, develop "appropriate" training programmes to employ Jordanians, "accurately" analyse unemployment data to identify its causes and develop "effective" strategies.

The minister said that the memo would also provide "reliable" data to formulate laws and legislation that regulate the Kingdom's labour market, protect rights of workers and employers and keep pace with changes in this regard.

The MoU, he noted, also seeks to achieve justice and equality and provide "a decent" and investment-attractive work environment.

DoS Director-General Haidar Freihat said that the Ministry of Labour is a "strategic" partner for the department, indicating that the memo aims to connect, facilitate and accelerate exchange of statistical data.

Freihat said that the department will work to provide data and statistical indicators to the ministry on the labour market and related indicators.

The department is the "only" government agency tasked with collecting and publishing statistical information and data, and is in charge of providing various social, economic, population and agricultural statistics with the "highest levels of accuracy and comprehensiveness," he pointed out.