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AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Thursday met with the presidents of the agricultural engineers and veterinary associations, as part of ongoing discussions with various sectors and national institutions.

The prime minister stressed the importance of cooperation in current and future agricultural sector plans and programmes, highlighting the government’s commitment to benefiting from the expertise of both syndicates, which encompass "professionals" supporting large agricultural institutions and sectors, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Hassan pointed out that the government seeks to develop and institutionalise the agricultural cooperatives sector, with a focus on enabling cooperatives to implement innovative agricultural projects. 

These projects are aimed at enhancing the sector and providing job opportunities for members of the two syndicates, as well as for the unemployed, the prime minister said, noting that the government has started allocating lands to several cooperative societies, particularly for youth, to help achieve these goals.

President of the Jordan Agricultural Engineers Association Ali Abu Nuqta reviewed several initiatives and projects aimed at enhancing agricultural production, particularly in terms of high-quality crops. 

He underscored the importance of land allocation for these initiatives due to their economic and operational value to citizens.

Abu Nuqta also called for resuming a training project for fresh graduates from the syndicate, which had been suspended since 2020, noting that it had previously provided employment opportunities for about 80 per cent of trainees.

President of the Jordanian Veterinary Association Ahmad Dihayat highlighted the need for a department dedicated to veterinary services that meets international standards and adapts to recent developments in the profession. 

He said that the union is working on amending its law, stressing the importance of collaborating to pass these legislative changes within legal frameworks.

Hassan told the heads of the two syndicates that the government would provide all necessary support to serve and develop the professional associations, reiterating his commitment to openness and communication.

AMMAN — Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh on Thursday participated in a high-level session at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Baku, Azerbaijan.

During the session, titled "Charting the Path for Energy Transition in the Mediterranean and Gulf Countries", Kharabsheh shared insights on Jordan’s progress in renewable energy, discussing the challenges and opportunities towards advancing the Kingdom's energy transition, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

He underscored the importance of national policies that promote regional cooperation within the Mediterranean Basin, highlighting how such policies and concrete projects are essential for meeting renewable energy targets and accelerating the energy transition in the region.

The session also focused on strategies for enhancing collaboration to address common challenges, such as developing infrastructure, addressing investment gaps, overcoming regulatory hurdles, and optimising financing mechanisms.

Participants in the session stressed the need for effective partnerships to help achieve sustainable energy goals across the region.

AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Thursday directed the withdrawal of a complaint filed by the Media Commission against Al Mamlaka TV.

The complaint, initially filed with the Amman Court of First Instance, involved allegations against the channel and its staff regarding their coverage of the recent declaration of a state of emergency, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Following the prime minister’s directive, the Media Commission has formally requested the court to dismiss the case entirely and drop all charges against the station's staff.

AMMAN — The Union of Arab Economic and Social Councils and Similar Bodies on Thursday called for unifying visions and common goals to build a better future, enhance the unity of the Arab world and ensure the security of its people.

In the final communiqué of its annual meeting held in Amman, the union recommended updating its operational procedures, laws and regulations to keep pace with new developments and improve its effectiveness, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

It also proposed expanding the union's work by advocating the establishment of economic and social councils in other Arab countries.

During the meeting, members of the general assembly sent a letter of appreciation to His Majesty King Abdullah for the generous reception. 

The letter also included a statement of solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

"In light of ongoing regional developments, we reaffirm our unwavering support for the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state and call for an end to the aggression they face. We stand firm against the repeated violations of their dignity, sovereignty and property," the letter read 

The members also expressed their opposition to the daily attacks on Lebanon's people and land, as well as the attacks on Lebanon's sovereignty and the security of its citizens.

The general assembly was attended by representatives from Algeria, Sudan, Morocco, Tunisia, Palestine, Lebanon, Mauritania, Yemen and Egypt.

The union last met in Algeria in 2022, and Jordan was due to host the 2023 session. Yet, the meeting was postponed due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and its regional repercussions.

Deputising for Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, Minister of State for Economic Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh stressed that economic and social councils have a key role in promoting participatory democracy in addressing economic and social issues. 

He called for greater coordination among Arab economic and social councils and similar institutions to enhance this model. 

The minister stressed that successive Jordanian governments have considered the Economic and Social Council as a crucial tool for assessing the impact of decisions and legislation on Jordanian citizens and stakeholders.

AMMAN — Secretary-General of the Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) Wael Duwairi and Director of USAID Mission Leslie Reed on Thursday inaugurated a project to rehabilitate the Najl pumping station and the water distribution network in Shobak.

The scheme aims to enhance water supply and reduce water loss in the Shobak District of Maan Governorate, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Duwairi said that the project aligns with national efforts to minimise water loss across the Kingdom, as part of the 2023-2040 strategic water sector plan, and is funded by USAID at a cost of $4.5 million.

The project entails upgrading the Najl pumping station, implementing a SCADA system, constructing a 1,000-cubic-metre tank, and rehabilitating the water distribution network through 30 kilometres of new pipeline, he said.

The secretary-general added that the project also includes main and carrier lines and 15 residential connections, benefiting over 8,400 residents in Shobak.

Duwairi stressed that this project will help reduce technical and administrative water loss, modernise monitoring systems, and boost the efficiency of water distribution. 

He added that by addressing network water loss and enhancing the monitoring and protection of water sources, the venture is expected to annually save some 77,000 cubic meters of water.

Reed highlighted USAID’s commitment to providing technical and technological support to improve citizens’ access to water across the Kingdom, reduce water loss, upgrade network infrastructure, and advance water resource management, ultimately enhancing water security in Jordan.

AMMAN — Despite the significance of the Agricultural Workers’ Regulation No.19 of 2021 and the proposed amendments and their intended goals, the current regulation, along with the suggested changes, does not address the core challenges within the agricultural sector.

The regulation "fails" to reflect the actual conditions faced by workers, the Information and Research Centre – King Hussein Foundation (IRC-KHF) revealed in a new position paper.

The centre, in partnership with the Arab Network for Civic Education (ANHRE), released on Wednesday a position paper titled “Towards Strengthening the Rights of Workers in the Agricultural Sector under the Agricultural Workers’ Regulation No. 19 of 2021,” underscoring the importance of promoting fair labour practices in the country’s agricultural sector.

“This paper reflects an ongoing commitment to supporting government efforts to amend the aforementioned Agricultural Workers’ Regulation, with the aim of expanding social security coverage for agricultural workers,” according to the KHF.

The KHF proposal focuses on repealing Article 15 of the regulation, which currently exempts agricultural employers with three or fewer workers from certain obligations. These include setting daily work hours, providing rest periods, offering weekly holidays, and enrolling workers in social insurance as mandated by the Social Security Law.

The paper also highlights the critical need for regulatory reforms to advance fair labour practices and safeguard the rights of agricultural workers, who play an essential role in Jordan’s economy. 

By pushing for these changes, the centre and ANHRE aim to build a more inclusive and equitable framework that broadens social protection and enhances working conditions for a greater segment of the agricultural workforce.

KHF Director Ayman Halaseh said: “It is essential not to remain fixed on existing frameworks; instead, we must consider a new model that takes into account all categories of farmers.”

He added that the very nature of agricultural work practices often leads to irregular relationships between workers and farm owners.

Head of the Workers' House and legal affairs expert Hamada Abu Nijmeh said, "While the regulation’s exclusion of employers with three or fewer workers presents a challenge, even if these employers were included, a significant barrier remains. 

Farmers often work across multiple farms, which means they don’t have a single employer. This makes it difficult for them to access basic benefits," he added.

To improve social security coverage for workers in the sector and to ensure their access to their fundamental rights, it is crucial to implement practical, administrative, and legislative measures that account for the seasonal and inconsistent nature of agricultural employment, Halaseh added.

These measures include recognising the relationship between workers and farmers through digital platforms or other appropriate means, and adjusting labour systems to align with actual practices on the ground, in addition to other practical and adequate measures. 

President of the General Union of Workers in Water, Agriculture, and Food Industries Bushra Salman said, "The agricultural sector suffers from the lack of a clear and comprehensive database, which impedes effective planning, decision-making, and resource allocation. 

The data gap limits the sector's ability to assess its current situation, track growth, monitor challenges, and make informed policy or business decisions," Salman added.

The KHF in its paper noted that most agricultural workers operate under a daily wage system, hired through intermediaries to work on different farms during specific seasons. 

This arrangement leaves workers without a permanent employer to whom they can turn for labour rights, such as annual, sick, or maternity leave. “The contractual relationship between the worker and the farm owner ends with the completion of the workday and the receipt of the agreed wage,” the foundation said.

AMMAN — On the eastern side of the temple complex at Khirbet Altaruz, a low platform was discovered in 2010 with small altar on the top and at the base of the platform, a stone step was found with two small stone columns on either side. 

"The first column contained an inscription on one side that dated to the late 9th-early 8th centuries BC. The second stone column had a square shaped top incorporated into the column with a shallow depression that might have been used to burn incense or hold torch-fire inside," said the professor Chang-Ho Ji from La Sierra University.

“Later excavations had aim to determine the relationship of this platform and step with the nearby walls. Excavations revealed an Iron IIA – IIB courtyard and a raised rectangular platform that was built for cultic activities,” Ji continued, adding that on the south side a three-step staircase was discovered that connected this courtyard with the Central Courtyard near the Main Sanctuary. 

"This staircase was the entrance for the courtyard when the platform altar was first built. Priests from the Iron IIA period probably approached the platform from the Central Courtyard facing the rising sun. Later in Iron IIB, this entrance was blocked off in order to put a square fireplace or furnace in the corner," Ji highlighted.

“In addition, most of the staircase was covered with soil, and the covered section was incorporated into the earth-beaten floor. On the floor of the courtyard three large irregularly shaped flat stones were found near the western wall directly in front of the platform and were probably used as offering tables,” the scholar said, adding that the floor, fireplace, and offering stones were all contemporary with the stone columns found in 2010. 

"By the late 9th century BC, the area was transformed into a partially enclosed courtyard surrounded on four sides by the platform and three walls and was probably entered only through a narrow alley from the southeast and the courtyard was reused later in the late Hellenistic period," Ji said.

The 2012 season centred on the architectural details located on the north and south side of the platform. 

"Excavation showed that this room was originally built in the Iron IIA period and then later reused in the late Hellenistic period, where a small lamp was found. In this area, four earth beaten floors dating to the Iron IIA – IIB periods were also found. The earliest floor was made during the mid Iron IIA period when the Main Sanctuary and its Central Courtyard were at its peak usage," Ji underscored.

Furthermore, the wall associated with this Iron IIA floor was built in two courses with chink stones; Its stones were medium-sized, relatively well dressed, and laid with much care. A later floor was added in the early Iron IIB period, where an

iron javelin and complete cooking pot (Figs. 12-12b) were found, he stressed, adding that during this later phase, a different construction technique seems to have been adopted. The walls consisted of only one row of large-sized boulders. 

"These two early walls were reused in the mid and late Iron IIB periods whose residents also laid two earth-beaten floors above the earlier ones. During the 2007 season the project identified a late Hellenistic floor in the area, which was similar to thelate Hellenistic earth-beaten floor found in the rooms," Ji elaborated.

The excavations at Khirbet ‘Ataruz continue to expose Iron Age II remains. 

"The 2011-12 excavations in Fields E and F along the northern and eastern outskirts of the ‘Ataruz temple compound have found important buildings and cultic installations. In particular, the findings established a date for the inscription column, its relationship to the altar, and the nature and chronology of the Inscription Column Courtyard," Ji concluded.

AMMAN — Tharwah Neimat on Thursday presented her credentials to Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman as Jordan's ambassador to Oman.

During the ceremony, held at Al Baraka Palace in Muscat, Neimat conveyed His Majesty King Abdullah's greetings to Sultan Haitham, who expressed his appreciation for King Abdullah's wise leadership and tireless efforts, and praised the "strong" relations between the two nations, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. 

Sultan Haitham also stressed the "deep-rooted" ties between Oman and Jordan and wished the Kingdom and its people continued progress and prosperity.

Also on Thursday, Yousef Bataineh presented his credentials to European Council President Charles Michel as Jordan's ambassador to the European Union.

During a ceremony held at the European Council headquarters in Brussels, Bataineh conveyed His Majesty King Abdullah's greetings to President Michel, along with his wishes for continued progress and prosperity for the European Union and its people, according to a second ministry statement. 

In return, President Michel asked Bataineh to convey his greetings and appreciation to King Abdullah, praising His Majesty's wise leadership.

He also emphasised the European Union's interest in boosting bilateral relations and partnership initiatives, wishing the Kingdom and its people further progress and prosperity. 

Meanwhile on Wednesday, Janti Qalajoqa presented his credentials to New Zealand Governor General Cindy Kiro as Jordan's non-resident ambassador to New Zealand. 

During the ceremony, held at the Government House in Wellington, Qalajoqa conveyed His Majesty's greetings to Kiro and his best wishes of continued progress and prosperity for the people of New Zealand.

For her part, Kiro conveyed her greetings and appreciation for King Abdullah and wished the Jordanian people continued peace and prosperity.

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld a January State Security Court (SSC) ruling sentencing a drug dealer to six years in prison after convicting him of possessing illegal narcotics and resisting arrest in Amman in September of last year.

The court declared the defendant guilty of possessing illegal narcotics at his home in Marka with the intent of selling the drugs in the local market on September 2.

The SSC handed the defendant a punishment of six years in prison and ordered him to pay JD5,000 in fines.

Court documents said the Anti-Narcotics Department (AND) learnt the defendant was in possession of illegal narcotics and placed him under surveillance.

“The AND agents contacted the defendant and asked him for a five-pill Captagon supply in return for JD10,” court documents said.

The exchange of illicit drugs happened as agreed and the undercover police officer left, the court said.

The law-enforcement agency placed the defendant under surveillance for six months, the court added.

On September 2, the court maintained, a special force decided to arrest the defendant while in the street.

“The defendant pulled a gun and threatened one police officer with it and following a brief struggle over the weapon, a bullet was fired striking the law-enforcement personnel,” the court said.

Upon searching the defendant, the police officers found “an amount of hashish, Captagon pills, crystal meth and 57 unspent bullets in his possession”.

The defendant contested the SSC’s ruling through his lawyer, who argued that the court “did not provide solid evidence to implicate his client of illicit drug trafficking”.

The defence also charged that the court handed the defendant a high sentence “and my client deserves clemency by the court”.

The lawyer also charged that the defendant had no “knowledge that he shot a police officer and that his actions were in self-defence”.

Meanwhile, the SSC prosecution office asked the higher court to uphold the sentence and the fine imposed on the defendant.

The higher court maintained that the SSC had followed the proper procedures in issuing the sentences against the defendant.

“It was clear to the court that the defendant confessed willingly to possessing the illegal drugs to sell it in the local market,” the higher court said.

Therefore, the higher court maintained that the defendant deserved the punishment he received.

The Cassation Court bench comprised judges Yassin Abdullat, Hammad Ghzawi, Qassem Dughmi, Mohammad Khashashneh and Nayef Samarat.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah has affirmed that Jordan will continue to work with Arab countries and the international community to end the injustice, the killing, and destruction inflicted on the Palestinian people.

In a cable to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the occasion of the 36th anniversary of the declaration of the independence of the State of Palestine, His Majesty reiterated Jordan's support for Palestinians in gaining their legitimate rights, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The King stressed the need to step up efforts to stop the Israeli aggression on Gaza and extremist attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, as well as violations of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, noting the importance of bolstering the humanitarian response in Gaza, the statement said.