Partnership with private sector vital to reducing unemployment — government

AMMAN — Private sector support is fundamental for creating jobs in the Kingdom, where unemployment is around 13 per cent, the government said on Wednesday.

Without the collaboration of the private sector, the task to create jobs will be more difficult, Labour Minister Nidal Katamine said at an event held by the American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan attended by several member companies and businesspeople. 

Jordan, he said, has long suffered from over-employment in the public sector, which increases burdens on the state.

The mismatch between human capital skills and the needs of the labour market, as well as the waves of Syrian refugees who sought refuge and eventually jobs in Jordan have also placed a heavy burden on the economy as well, the minister noted, highlighting programmes and initiatives by the ministry to address these issues.

The minister added that an industrial city will be created in each of the country’s 12 governorates to help attract the private sector and create jobs for Jordanians.

Katamine added that some are under construction while tenders for others are in the final stages.

On the impact of Syrian refugees on the labour market, he said the government has opened the door for Syrian refugees in certain sectors to obtain work permits at no charge with the support of donor countries.

The minister added that discussions are also under way with donors to speed up the process, stressing that the aid the refugees receive is not enough and that more jobs needs to be created for them.

Speaking during the event, AmCham-Jordan Chairman Mohammed Bataineh said the Kingdom has a young workforce that excels in areas such as ICT, pharmaceuticals and engineering.

Bataineh added that the time is ripe for Jordan to focus on human capital development, noting that Jordanians are the country’s biggest assets.

He also stressed the key role of labour-related legislation in attracting investors.