JEA demands 180% salary increase as ‘fair bonus’ for engineers

AMMAN — During the process of negotiating salary bonuses with the government, the Jordan Engineers Association (JEA) has expressed an adamant stance on increasing salaries of engineers by 180 per cent, according to a JEA official.

Following the second meeting with the Parliamentary Administration Committee on Sunday, an agreement was reached on a bonus of 160 per cent instead of the previously agreed-upon 145 per cent, JEA Deputy President Fawzi Mesed told The Jordan Times on Monday.

However, the association continues to call for an additional 20 per cent increase to salaries, with JEA Council Member Mohammad Mahamid stating: "We are firm in our view that the 180 per cent is the fair bonus for the JEA.”

Public sector engineers’ claims topped the meeting's agenda, which aimed at taking “robust steps to find durable and equitable solutions” for engineers, Mahamid told The Jordan Times, adding that the meeting saw the attendance of President of the Civil Service Commission Sameh Al Naser, a number of MPs and the chairmen of both the economic and investment Parliamentary committees.

Engineers working in the public sector are claiming that a promised bonus of 150 per cent agreed upon in 2012 was never delivered. However, as Mesed stated, professionals from other associations have received increases this year estimated between 15 and 45 per cent.

With these estimations in mind, the JEA is demanding a 30 per cent raise on the original percentage, the deputy president noted.

"The JEA works to ensure the rights of its engineers,” Mesed said, stressing that the current 160 per cent increase means only a 10 per cent raise, which is lower than the average salary increases in other professions.

Mesed noted that a recommendation had previously been made to Prime Minister Omar Razzaz concerning the 160 per cent raise, with positive results.

"Bonuses approved by the government should reflect positively on all engineers working in governmental institutions," he said.

With the aim of reflecting the JEA's support to its members, a protest had been scheduled for December 30 at the Professional Associations Complex, however it has been postponed until further notice, as an expression of the JEA’s “affirmative and positive stance towards decision makers”, Mahamid added.  

"These official talks have been effective and the JEA’s proposals have been submitted, so we are waiting for fair results," JEA Council Member Bashar Tarawneh told The Jordan Times on Sunday.