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AMMAN — The Lower House on Wednesday continued its deliberations over the draft amendments to the 2024 Labour Law, passing an article that bans the termination of employees during pregnancy. 

During a session chaired by Speaker Ahmad Safadi, the lawmakers approved articles 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, with discussions focusing on key protections for workers and updates to employment practices, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Labour Minister Khaled Bakkar reassured lawmakers that dispute over the rights of pregnant workers had been resolved. 

It is now illegal to dismiss a pregnant woman under any circumstances, he confirmed, stressing that the law is designed to protect women during pregnancy and maternity leave.

Bakkar also said that the amendments to Article 35 distinguish between probationary and permanent employees, noting employers can dismiss probationary workers under the law but only for "just reasons."

The lawmakers also agreed to strengthen the protection of pregnant women under Article 6 by amending paragraph A of Article 27, which prohibits the dismissal of pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy or maternity leave.

Other amendments tighten the rules on absenteeism, reducing the number of days of unjustified absence allowed in a year from 20 to 10. The revision also includes a clause on sexual harassment, making it clear that such violations are subject to legal sanctions.

Lawmakers also approved a provision allowing employers to reduce their workforce by up to 5 per cent for economic or technical reasons, deviating from the Labour Panel's recommendation of a 15 per cent reduction.

During the session, lawmakers raised concerns about several pressing issues affecting citizens, including the high cost of electricity and student loans. 

Several lawmakers called on the government to expand support for university students by increasing the number of beneficiaries of the student loan and grant programmes

In previous sessions, the Chamber had already approved three provisions in the 18-article draft law. The proposed amendments aim to align the labour law with the social security law, extend protection to workers not covered by social security and harmonise the treatment of occupational accidents. 

It also seeks to regulate the use of foreign labour and clarify procedures for workers who leave their jobs in violation of the law.

AMMAN — A new UNHCR Regional Perception and Intention Survey (RPIS) has revealed that 80 per cent of the surveyed refugees across five host countries said they intend to go back to Syria soon. 

 The study findings represent a sharp increase from April 2024, when only 57 per cent saw return as an option. 

Among those surveyed, 27 per cent plan to return within the next year, up from just 1.7 per cent in previous RPIS.

The shift reflects recent political changes in Syria, the fall of the Assad regime, which has played a key role in this decision, with 52 per cent citing it as the main reason for wanting to go back, the report said.

At the same time, over 60 per cent expressed interest in first visiting Syria to assess the situation before making a final move.

Return rates vary by host country. Jordan and Egypt have the highest numbers, with 40 and 42 per cent of refugees, respectively, indicating plans to leave. Lebanon and Iraq have lower figures, at 24 and 12 per cent.

The survey, which included 4,500 participants, also shed light on the demographics of those considering a return. Men made up 62 per cent of respondents, while women accounted for 38 per cent.

The majority, 83 per cent, were between the ages of 25 and 59, and 78 per cent identified as the primary decision-makers in their households.

In Jordan, thousands of Syrians have already made the journey back, the RPIS said, citing recent figures by the Interior Ministry, which said that 42,675 refugees have crossed the Jaber border since the fall of the regime. Of those, 7,117 left from refugee camps, while 35,558 departed from other areas of the country.

 Officials have emphasised that all returns were voluntary.

To support the growing number of returnees, the UNHCR is seeking $22 million in funding for returns from Jordan as part of a larger $370.9 million regional initiative.

 Between December 2024 and February 2025, around 43,704 Syrian refugees have already returned home. 

Jordan continues to host nearly 1.3 million Syrians, including 660,000 registered with the UNHCR.

The findings mark a turning point in the refugee crisis, as more displaced Syrians express a renewed sense of optimism and a desire to rebuild their lives in their homeland.

•  His Majesty reiterates Jordan’s rejection of displacement of Palestinians in West Bank, Gaza, and annexation of land
• King affirms Jordan’s condemnation of Israeli decision to block humanitarian aid to Gaza, escalation of the situation in West Bank

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday affirmed Jordan’s support for the plan to rebuild Gaza, which will be presented to active partners to gain international support.

Delivering Jordan’s address at the Extraordinary Arab Summit hosted by Egypt, dubbed the ‘Palestine Summit,’ His Majesty reiterated Jordan’s total rejection of all attempts to displace Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza and annex land, in addition to condemning the Israeli decision to block humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The King stressed the importance of maintaining the ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring the implementation of all its phases, as well as stopping the dangerous escalation of the situation in the West Bank.

His Majesty reiterated Jordan’s support for the Palestinian people in their efforts to realise their legitimate rights, chiefly of which their right to an independent and sovereign state of their own, on the basis of the two-state solution, “which is the only way to achieve just and comprehensive peace that guarantees security and stability for our region.”

The King also reaffirmed support for the reform efforts of the Palestinian National Authority in the interest of our Palestinian brethren, as well as preparing a clear and implementable vision for the administration of Gaza and linking it to the West Bank.

Following is the English translation of Jordan’s address at the Extraordinary Arab Summit:

“In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful,

Prayers and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad,

Your Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa,

Your Excellency President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi,

Your Highnesses and Excellencies,

Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.

I would like to first express my thanks to my brother President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi for hosting this extraordinary summit during this difficult phase, which demands stepping up Arab coordination and unifying our positions, and to my brother, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for his outstanding efforts in presiding over the ordinary session of the summit. I also thank the Secretary General of the Arab League and its staff for their efforts in organising our summit today.

My brothers,

We salute the steadfastness of the Palestinian people on their land, and renew our support for our Palestinian brethren in their efforts to gain their full legitimate rights, foremost of which is their right to freedom and an independent and sovereign state on their national soil, on the basis of the two-state solution, which is the only way to achieve just and comprehensive peace that guarantees security and stability for our region.

At this delicate stage, when the Palestinian cause is facing very serious challenges, it is imperative to work urgently together to counter any attempts to impose solutions at the expense of Palestinians and liquidate their cause.

We stress the importance of maintaining the ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring the implementation of all its phases. We also reiterate our rejection of the Israeli decision to block the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, which constitutes a violation of the most basic principles of international law.

Thus today, we need to prioritise four main themes:

First: Our total rejection of all attempts to displace Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, and to annex land, which is a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, and our support of the plan to rebuild Gaza, to be presented to active partners in order to gain international support.

Second: Supporting the reform efforts of the Palestinian National Authority in the interest of our Palestinian brethren, as well as preparing a clear and implementable vision for the administration of Gaza and linking it to the West Bank in order to provide all basic services and ensure the required security.

Third: The need to stop the dangerous escalation in the West Bank, which threatens the existence of Palestinians in the West Bank and is resulting in the displacement of some of them, leading to the erosion of prospects for stability and peace in the entire region. We also need to counter the violations of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and preserve the historical and legal status quo, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, to prevent attempts by extremists in the Israeli government to exacerbate the situation.

Jordan will persist in undertaking its historic duty to safeguard Muslim and Christian holy sites under the Hashemite Custodianship.

Fourth: Reaffirming that the two-state solution is the only way to achieve just and comprehensive peace that guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on Palestinian national soil, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The two-state solution provides a comprehensive political horizon to stabilise the region and spare its peoples further conflict.

My brothers,

Since the beginning of Israel’s unjust war on Gaza, Jordan’s position has been clear: we reject any attempt at displacement and any measure to liquidate the Palestinian cause and undermine the two-state solution.

An immediate and effective regional and international effort must be launched to address the tragedies, killings, terror and destruction caused by the war on Gaza. Efforts must focus on providing shelter, treatment, and food for the people in Gaza, and we must work to implement plans to rebuild what was destroyed by the war.

The humanitarian response in Gaza must continue. Jordan will continue to provide aid to Gaza by land and air. We also appreciate the efforts of our brothers and friends and their continued work alongside us to provide relief to Gazans.

My brothers,

The outcome of our summit must be practical steps to support our Palestinian brethren, support their steadfastness on their land, alleviate their suffering, and mobilise international efforts to stop everything that prevents the achievement of peace, which cannot be realised through military escalation, displacement of peoples, and denial of their rights.

Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.”

The Jordanian delegation at the Extraordinary Arab Summit included Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh, and Jordan’s Permanent Representative at the Arab League Amjad Adaileh.

His Majesty returned to Jordan on Tuesday after participating in the Extraordinary Arab Summit, according to a Royal Court statement.

AMMAN — Police on Tuesday said they were questioning two minors who reportedly set a student on fire in one of the Kingdom’s schools a day earlier.

The two suspects allegedly poured a flammable substance on his stomach and chest and set it ablaze, the police spokesperson said.

“The child, who survived the incident and was listed in fair condition, appeared in a video clip on social media describing the alleged incident,” the police spokesperson told The Jordan Times.

The Family Protection Department (FPD) is currently investigating the incident, according to the police official.

“FPD officers are questioning the two suspects, witnesses at the school, reviewing surveillance footage at the school,” he added.

In a video clip that circulated on social media, a boy named Mohammed, 11, spoke from a hospital bed of the alleged incident saying he was “attacked by two of his schoolmates who poured kerosene over his body and set him ablaze”.

A woman claiming to be his mother also appeared in the video claiming that two students attacked her son and called on the concerned authorities “to bring justice to my son”.

The juvenile prosecution office is expected to start investigating the incident once the FPD finishes its initial investigations, according to a statement by the Public Security Directorate.

AMMAN — The Kingdom will be affected by unstable weather conditions on Wednesday, the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) forecast on Tuesday.

The weather will be partly cloudy to cloudy at times, with a slight drop in temperatures, the JMD said as reported by the Jordan News Agency, Petra.  

Scattered showers are expected in parts of the country, which may be heavy at times, particularly in the eastern and southern regions, accompanied by thunderstorms and hail.

On Thursday, the Kingdom will remain under the influence of unstable weather conditions, with partly cloudy to cloudy skies.

Scattered showers are expected in different areas, sometimes heavy in the southern and eastern parts of the country, accompanied by thunderstorms and occasional hail, which may lead to flash floods in valleys and low-lying areas.

Moderate to brisk easterly winds is forecast on Thursday, stirring dust in desert regions.

On Friday, the weather will remain partly cloudy to cloudy at times, with scattered showers expected in various regions, particularly in the southern and eastern parts of the country, sometimes accompanied by thunderstorms. Moderate north-easterly winds will occasionally become active, causing dusty conditions in desert areas.

Temperatures on Wednesday in Amman will range between a high of 16°C and a low of 5°C, in Aqaba between a high of 24°C and a low of 11°C, while mercury levels in the Jordan Valley will be 23°C during the day, dropping to 11°C at night.

AMMAN — Following Royal directives, the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF), in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health, evacuated on Tuesday 29 children from the Gaza Strip to Jordan for medical treatment.

The operation, utilising both land and air transportation, ensured that the children received essential care at hospitals across the Kingdom as part of the Jordanian Medical Corridor Initiative.

This marks the first group of 2,000 children who are slated to receive treatment in Jordan as part of the country’s ongoing humanitarian commitment to supporting families in Gaza.

JAF Media Director Brig. Gen. Mustafa Hiari addressed the media at King Hussein Bridge, highlighting that the evacuation was a direct result of Royal directives to assist the families in Gaza. 

He recalled that during his recent visit to the US, His Majesty King Abdullah announced Jordan’s readiness to welcome 2,000 children for medical care.

Hayari detailed the evacuation process, noting that four children were transported by Royal Jordanian Air Force helicopters, equipped with specialised medical teams, from Marka Military Airport. The remaining 25 children were transferred by ambulances through King Hussein Bridge.

Hayari also underscored the JAF's ongoing efforts in providing humanitarian assistance, medical care, and relief to people in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. 

Since the conflict's onset, the JAF has treated over half a million patients and performed 20,679 surgeries, both minor and major. Additionally, the “Restore Hope” initiative has fitted 363 prosthetic limbs and 176 humanitarian convoys—totalling 7,749 trucks—have been dispatched to Gaza. Of these, 36 convoys, carrying 2,719 trucks, were sent after the truce.

In cooperation with the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organisation and local and international partners, Jordan has also delivered 74,000 tents and mobile homes to Gaza.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah held meetings in Cairo on Tuesday with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, on the sidelines of the Extraordinary Arab Summit hosted by Egypt.

Discussions at the meetings covered regional developments, particularly efforts to maintain the ceasefire in Gaza, resume the delivery of humanitarian aid, and rebuild Gaza without displacing its population, in addition to the dangerous escalations in the West Bank, according to a Royal Court statement.

During the meeting with the Iraqi president, the King affirmed the deep-rooted ties between Jordan and Iraq, expressing keenness to expand cooperation across various fields.

The meeting also covered the importance of maintaining coordination on issues of mutual concern, in a manner that enhances regional security and stability, the statement said.

During His Majesty’s meeting with the Lebanese president, the two leaders discussed ways to consolidate the strong ties between the two countries and enhance cooperation.

The King also reiterated Jordan’s support of Lebanon’s efforts to maintain its security and stability.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh attended the meetings.

-Approved  competition law amendments, waste management projects, and new schools

-Waivers on customs fees for returning Syrian refugees

AMMAN —  The Cabinet on Tuesday, during a session chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, approved several key decisions aimed at enhancing Jordan’s competitiveness and supporting economic development.

Minister of Government Communications Mohammed Momani, who is also the government spokesperson, announced the decisions made during the session.

Momani said that the Cabinet approved the 2025 amendments to the Competition Law. The amendments will now be forwarded to the Lower House for further review, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The amended law seeks to enhance the implementation of competition policy in Jordan by granting greater autonomy to the Competition Protection Department, enhancing its investigative tools, and empowering it to take legal action. 

The law aligns with the government’s economic modernisation vision, which aims to create a fairer competitive environment and safeguard consumers against monopolistic practices. The law also allows the creation of a Competition Affairs Council, which will serve as an advisory body with representatives from both the public and private sectors.

The Council of Ministers also approved the 2025 data disclosure nylaw, which establishes clear guidelines for the disclosure of data while ensuring compliance with the Personal Data Protection Law of 2023. 

This Bylaw is part of Jordan’s broader effort to strengthen its digital economy and improve the country’s standing in global business and data protection indices.

On the infrastructure front, the Cabinet approved several important projects. Among the most notable is the Al Akeeder Landfill Development Project, valued at around JD30 million. 

This project aims to establish an environmentally sustainable waste cell at the Al Akeeder landfill, the largest municipal waste site in Jordan. Part-funded by a 20 million euro EU grant, the project will serve 38 municipalities and is a key component of Jordan’s solid waste management strategy.

The Cabinet also approved the Bani Kananah Water Supply Improvement Project, worth JD9 million, which will benefit 25 villages as part of the National Water Strategy 2023-2040. Additionally, the construction of two new schools in Zarqa and Amman, costing around JD3.1 million, was approved.

In a move to support Syrian refugees, the Cabinet decided to waive certain customs fees for Syrians returning to their homeland. The exemption applies to the AR9 customs declaration, which covers the transport of household goods for refugees voluntarily returning to Syria.

Momani also highlighted Jordan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts, announcing the approval of a customs cooperation agreement with Azerbaijan to enhance the exchange of information and combat customs violations. 

A memorandum of understanding with the National Museum of Oman, aimed at promoting cultural cooperation, was also approved. Additionally, the Cabinet approved legal procedures to establish formal diplomatic relations with Guinea following a joint declaration signed by both governments.

The Cabinet also reviewed measures to improve the functioning of internal audit units within government ministries and institutions, with a focus on enhancing transparency, decision-making, and accountability. The Audit Bureau presented recommendations for developing internal audit capabilities throughout the Jordanian public sector.

Momani also highlighted His Majesty King Abdullah’s participation in the Arab Emergency Summit in Cairo. The summit is focused on Gaza and efforts to rebuild the area without displacing its residents, in line with a unified Arab stance on the issue.

Momani reiterated Jordan’s firm position on the Palestinian cause, as expressed by King Abdullah during his recent visit to Washington. He reaffirmed Jordan's strong opposition to forced displacement, resettlement, and the concept of an "alternative homeland." 

"The Kingdom stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people and supports their legitimate rights, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on their national soil."

"The cause of Palestine is a national Arab interest," Momani emphasised. "It is vital to ensure the rights of Palestinians and Gazans, allowing them to remain on their land, live with dignity, and have access to necessary infrastructure and humanitarian aid."

He also condemned the blockade of Gaza, stressing the importance of enforcing international law and ensuring the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the Strip. "Gaza belongs to its people," he said, reiterating Jordan’s clear position. "Since the onset of the crisis, Jordan has mobilised all its political, diplomatic, legal, and humanitarian resources to support the Palestinian cause."

On the humanitarian front, Momani confirmed that Palestinian children injured in Gaza have begun arriving in Jordan for medical treatment. The first cases are being processed at Marka airport and land border crossings, with injuries being assessed by Jordanian medical teams working in Gaza.

Regarding Jordan's relations with Syria, Momani stressed the deep, brotherly bond between the two nations. "Jordan remains committed to supporting Syria during its transitional period, recognising that Syria's security, stability, and territorial integrity are of strategic importance to Jordan." 

Momani also condemned recent Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory, calling them a violation of Syria's sovereignty.

AMMAN — Director-General of the Department of Palestinian Affairs (DPA) Rafiq Khirfan and UNRWA Director of Operations Olaf Becker met to address the agency's operational challenges in Jordan, which have been compounded by escalating financial difficulties.

The discussions centred on UNRWA's ongoing financial crisis, triggered by a decline in funding from several donor countries, and its detrimental effects on the agency's ability to deliver essential services to Palestinian refugees, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The two parties also discussed the logistics of upcoming field visits to refugee camps, stressing the need for prior coordination to ensure effective oversight and continued support for the refugee population.