JD1.5 work injury compensation cheque becomes butt of jokes on social media

AMMAN – A JD1.5 cheque issued by the Social Security Corporation (SSC) to a private sector employee for a work injury triggered a storm of jokes and criticism on social media on Tuesday.

Dozens of Facebook and Twitter users shared photos of the cheque accompanied with sarcastic comments and posts. 

The cheque was issued to Qusai, who told a radio station that the amount was compensation for a work injury he suffered a year ago. 

But SSC Spokesperson Musa Sbeihi challenged Sarabtah’s claims, noting that the corporation covered all his medical treatment expenses at a cost of JD128.

The JD1.5 cheque, Sbeihi told The Jordan Times, was issued for covering the beneficiary’s transportation costs from home to the medical facility where he received treatment. 

However, the SSC official acknowledged that the financial department made a mistake, as cheques for amounts less than JD10 should not be issued; instead the JD1.5 should have been added to the overall compensation granted to Sarabtah. 

“The SSC covered all the medical treatment costs for the employee,” Sbeihi said, adding that he suffered a minor work injury. 

Facebook user Subhi Jaafar commented sarcastically that the beneficiary would have to spend more money to go to the bank to cash the cheque. 

“How could the Social Security Corporation afford to pay such a huge amount,” Kamal Qatatsheh joked on Facebook. 

Yazan Ayman ‏(@Yazanayman94) tweeted that the amount would not be enough to buy a packet of cigarettes. 

Facebook users also circulated photos of another cheque valued at JD0.75 issued to a worker in the northern city of Ramtha.