King voices respect for ‘country builders’

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Friday congratulated the nation on Labour Day, voicing his appreciation for workers.

In a Facebook message, His Majesty wrote: “Labour Day reminds us to stand in respect for those who tirelessly work to build our country with unfaltering determination. 

“This is who we Jordanians are; the bigger the challenge, the stronger our resolve is to overcome it. Happy Labour Day.”

On the occasion, His Majesty on Friday received a letter from Mazen Maaitah, president of the General Trade Unions Federation.

Maaitah said that the occasion “embodies many humanitarian, economic, social and national values, since work is a right, honour, responsibility and an act of belonging, with workers being one of the country's main assets that contribute to its prosperity”.

A major function to mark Labour Day was dedicated to sanitation workers, or “homeland workers”.

The Angelic Nazarene Philadelphia Church and partnering NGOs held a ceremony in Marka neighbourhood to honour the municipal workers.

Amman Mayor Aqel Biltaji said the ceremony highlights a distinguished model of religious coexistence in Jordan, where Christian institutions cooperate with the private sector and the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) to honour this category of labourers and underline work values.

At the end of the ceremony, a total of 305 workers representing different GAM departments received presents, while the organising societies were presented memorial plaques.