Jordan – The Ministry of Labour (MOL) renewed exemptions for employers on Syrian labour permits, following the conclusion of the last extension on exemptions, expired few days ago.
So far, labour permits issued for Syrians amount to 11 thousand, with the aim of increasing the total amount of legislated labourers to 50 thousand by the end of the current year, in accordance to the Jordan accord on Syrians in Jordan, proposed to the London Donors Conference, held in London, UK, last February, 2016.
Many Syrians hesitate to issue work permits, for fear of losing their rights as refugees, especially in terms of prosecuting financial aid from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as well as the fear of losing their right to resettlement in a third country forthose who have applied for asylum.
Studies issued by the Economic and Social Council emphasized that the actual number of unregistered Syrians in the labour market is more than 150 thousand.
Ministry spokesman Mohammed Khatib confirms that employers are visiting labour offices, to benefit from the exemptions permit for the Syrians.
Khatib said that allowing Syrians to join the labour market would not by any means affect job opportunities for Jordanians, And that they will only compete the expats.
Khatib said that expats with no exceptions are not allowed to work in closed professions allocated only for Jordanians, which have been previously announced, the ministry daily inspection campaigns to catch the offending employers or labor, and taking legal action against them in accordance with the labor law.
UNHCR has pledged Through donors, to pay the work permits of Syrian labor fees in the allowed work sectors, For the purpose of regulating the labor market and ensuring the commitment of the Syrian labor
Al khatib said that the priority is always to Jordanian workers in all sectors, and their proportions of operation is the highest, and will not be affected under any circumstances. He stressed out that the Ministry of Labour continues its efforts, in coordination with partners to open more investment in all the provinces to create decent jobs for Jordanians.
The Commission will send a list of names that demand jobs while the ministry began to receive applications for the Syrians, after the cancellation of the sponsorship requirement or bank accounts, but did not announce clearly on whether it will continue to provide financial support to those who obtain an employment permits.
ILO said in a statement recently that they understand the there is an increasing competition for jobs due to the crisis in Syria in Jordan.
As part of the wider United Nations response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis in Jordan , the ILO initiated a series of pilot strategies to support enhanced access to employment opportunities and livelihoods in host communities. Accordingly, the ILO has been active in many areas of grassroots intervention in Marfaq and Irbid
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