Vaccination mandatory for work, residency permits

AMMAN — Vaccination is mandatory for the issuance or renewal of work permits and residency for foreign workers in the Kingdom, according to Labour Ministry Spokesperson Mohammad Zyoud.

On Sunday, Zyoud told The Jordan Times that in accordance to Defence Order No. 32 of 2021, no work permit shall be issued and no annual residency permit shall be renewed for any resident who has not received one dose or failed to receive the second dose of the COVID vaccine.

The Defence Order No. 32 of 2021 aims to regulate the work of employees who have not received the COVID vaccine in the public and private sectors.

“The grace period granted to foreign workers to rectify their status, this year started on July 4 and continued until September 2,” the spokesperson added.

According to Zyoud, the grace period, during which exemptions from permit fees and fines were made for employers and workers, seeks to regulate the labour market, and is a chance for foreign workers to legalise their status.

“During this year’s grace period, the exemptions were unprecedented, but the number of workers who have rectified their statuses was not as expected,” Zyoud said.

The government has dealt with Jordanians and non-Jordanians equally in terms of vaccination, the official said.