Gov’t decision to extend social security coverage ‘a step forward’ — farmers

AMMAN — The Labour Ministry’s new amendments in regard to extending social security coverage to agricultural workers were largely welcomed by Jordanian farmers and sector representatives.

On Tuesday, Labour Minister Nayef Stetieh said in a statement sent to The Jordan Times that: “The arrangements previously agreed upon between agricultural representatives and the Social Security Corporation to regulate the inclusion of agricultural workers in social security have been enforced since last September, under decision 41, which allow farm holders to cover their workers in work injury insurance only.”

Work injury insurance coverage for agricultural workers decreases the total percentage of the social security subscription from 21.75 per cent to 2 per cent, the minister added.

The statement also showed that farm holders can partially include their workers in old age insurance, with specific sections and percentages.

The agriculture sector’s work permit fees have been reduced from JD500 to JD400, the minister added.

“Reducing work permit fees will for sure contribute to improvements on the ground,” said Naeash Yazjeen, a farmer in the Jordan Valley.

He added that a huge number of employers have left the agriculture business because they were drowning in debt, but lately there have been “positive decisions” that encourage farmers and farm holders to come back.

Yazjeen told The Jordan Times that including farmers and sector workers in social security insurance is a step forward, but like any other sector, “it should have its exceptions”.

Ibrahim Mahmoud, a farm owner from Madaba, told The Jordan Times that: “It is great news to hear that the Ministry of Labour and the Social Security Corporation have taken such decisions”.

He noted that social security coverage will solve many challenges faced by farmers in the Kingdom.