Labour Ministry launches second wave of programme to send foreign workers to their countries

AMMAN — In light of coronavirus cutbacks on staff and reduction of daily workers, the Ministry of Labour has launched the second wave of the Protection Programme that sends foreign workers and their families back to their home country.

Minister of Labour Nidal Batayneh said that the ministry has made room for the second round of applications, allowing expatriate workers and their families to register via the Protection platform as of Sunday.

Designed in both English and Arabic, the platform will be open to receiving applications for the duration of a month.

Batayneh said that the decision comes as a response to the limited employment opportunities due to the coronavirus crisis, adding that this also allows the ministry to better focus on retaining Jordanian workers as well as helping employers reduce their costs.

Batayneh affirmed the continuity of exempting registered workers and their families from residency fines or any other fees incurred on them, such as work permit fees.

“We understand the difficulty of losing one’s job and preparing for permanent departure, therefore, we hope these exemptions can help reduce some of the damage caused by the current crisis,” he added.

Expatriate workers wishing to leave with their families can still withdraw their financial dues in the Social Security Corporation, the minister noted, as he expressed his hope that expatriate workers who have false or expired permits will benefit from these procedures to leave after registering on the Platform.

“In light of the humanitarian, social and global situation, the ministry has decided to overlook some minor permit violations,” said Batayneh.

The Ministry of Labour stressed in a statement that the travel procedures for those wishing to leave will be in accordance with the “highest standards of preventive and precautionary measures to ensure the protection from infection amongst travellers.”