Jordanian Writers Association ‘suffering financial woes’

AMMAN – Economic difficulties are burdening the Jordanian Writers Association (JWA), a civil society organisation that serves as an umbrella for 1,000 Jordanian writers.

“The current board has inherited chronic financial difficulties stemming from the actions of previous administrations,” JWA President Ziad Abu Laban told The Jordan Times on Saturday.

He said the JWA is now “paying the dues of previous mistakes”.

Giving an example, Abu Laban said a member of the association had a car accident eight years ago and was denied her financial rights by the board at the time.

“The woman won the case now and the association must pay JD8,500,” he said, adding that another case of arbitrary lay-offs of employees that took place years ago was won against the JWA recently and cost it JD4,000.

“The Culture Ministry extends JD20,000 in support of the association, of which JD11,000 are paid to the headquarters’ rent,” said Abu Laban, adding that JD10,000 a year goes to employees’ salaries.

“Add to that the costs of electricity and services,” he said, calling on the association’s members to pay their subscriptions on time and the private sector to increase its support to the “significant” entity.

“The association has a deep-rooted history of bringing together authors and writers,” noted the JWA president.

The association is a member of the General Union of Arab Writers and other international writers’ associations.