Union leaders hail King’s stand on retirement law

AMMAN — Members of the Professional Associations Council said His Majesty King Abdullah's rejection of the amended draft civil retirement law, which grants lawmakers lifetime pensions, was a step in the right direction.

In phone interviews with The Jordan Times on Tuesday, council members expressed their relief over the Monarch's decision, noting that it corresponds with the public's rejection and spares the country possible "social and economic congestions".

Council President Ibrahim Tarawneh said lawmakers' "controversial" decision was not timely, as the country is facing serious economic challenges.

The King's refusal to endorse the bill came in harmony with his fifth discussion paper, published earlier this week, which seeks to deepen justice and equality and encourage Jordanians to put loyalty to Jordan as a priority above all personal interests, he said.

Tarawneh, who is also president of the Jordan Dental Association, noted that His Majesty created a sense of "justice and relief" among association members, politicians and the public in general and proved his familiarity with what people want.

Meanwhile, he called for including professional associations in any discussions or dialogues that concern the country and its people, as their members work voluntarily and would provide objective views on national issues.

Jordan Teachers Association President Hussam Masheh said the King’s decision ended a “social crisis” that would have occurred.

However, he said Parliament members have shaken the public’s trust with the drafted civil retirement law, especially since the parliamentary Financial Committee told teachers as they embarked on their recent strike that the Treasury could not afford to meet their demands for a pay raise.

“It is unfair for public sector employees to work for 30 years in order to become eligible for a JD400 retirement pension, while lawmakers secure a JD3,000 pension after serving for seven years,” he added.

For his part, president of the Jordan Bar Association Samir Kherfan said Parliament members should work harder to serve the public after their decision was rejected to prove their “good intentions” and to avoid possible negative effects on the upcoming parliamentary elections.

He said Parliament’s decision is “unacceptable” for a legislative body, noting that deputies’ work should be voluntary in principle. 

The cost of the lawmakers’ decision, which has enraged the public, was expected to reach around JD6 million a year, a figure subject to increase every new parliamentary term.