Deadly minibus accident surfaces alleged labour violations at Azraq factory

AMMAN — A minibus accident that led to the deaths of three female factory workers on Monday has brought to light alleged violations at a factory in Azraq. 

According to the traffic report issued on the Public Security Directorate’s (PSD) radio station, Amen FM, on Tuesday, the driver lost control of the vehicle after a tyre blowout, causing him to swerve off of the road. The accident caused three deaths and 12 injuries.

According to the PSD’s report, the minibus was carrying a number of passengers that exceeded the legal limit. 

Industrial and agricultural workers face challenges that “endanger their lives” in their commutes to and from work, according to a statement provided to The Jordan Times by Linda Kalash, director of Tamkeen for Legal Aid and Human Rights.

There have been many deadly road accidents, as workers lack access to a safe means of transport, Kalash added, noting that the minibus in the recent accident was carrying over 15 passengers. The model of vehicle involved in the accident can safely accommodate a maximum of six people. 

Kalash stressed the importance of improving transport services for workers in these sectors to avoid such “tragic” incidents. 

Improvements should include training drivers on the safe driving practices, emergency procedures and the importance of regular maintenance and check-ups, she suggested. 

According to Tamkeen, a worker at the same factory named Hamda died of a brain haemorrhage in 2021 after being allegedly insulted, shouted at and threatened by her employer. 

Tamkeen’s team recorded many complaints from workers at this particular factory between 2019 and 2021. Allegedly, employees were regularly denied yearly vacations and sick leaves, and faced unjustified pay deductions, forced resignations and abusive behaviour by supervisors, marked by swearing and cursing, in addition to the lack of access to health facilities and safe means of transport, according to the organisation.

The Jordan Times spoke with one worker under the condition of anonymity who quit working at the factory in question due to its “poor working conditions”. 

“The pressure was insane. We were treated like slaves. If I went to the bathroom for more than five minutes, my supervisor would start cursing and shouting at me,” the worker said. 

The worker reported receiving a salary of only JD220 per month, which is below the legal minimum wage of JD260 per month.

“If you don’t like it then leave,” the factory’s management told the worker after the worker complained about transport conditions. 

The worker also noted that getting approval for any days-off or sick leaves was “almost impossible”.

Mohammed Zyoud, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour, told The Jordan Times that the incident is currently under investigation. 

He also noted that the ministry’s inspection teams visited this factory in March after receiving complaints from workers regarding overloaded minibuses and drivers’ excessive speeding. 

The factory received a warning at the time in order to rectify the situation, according to Zyoud.