Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Jordan

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) (Ratification: 1969)
Labour Administration Convention, 1978 (No. 150) (Ratification: 2003)

In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of the ratified Conventions on labour inspection and labour administration, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 81 (labour inspection) and 150 (labour administration) together.

Reforms affecting the labour inspection system. Legislation. The Committee notes that, in reply to its previous comment, the Government refers to the promulgation of OSH Regulations in 2023 and the adoption by the Ministry of Labour (MoL) of the Instructions for inspection procedures on economic activities by inspectors of the MoL for the year 2021, of the Instructions for the conditions and procedures for rebutting the decisions and procedures of inspection by the MoL for the year 2021 and the Instructions for the conditions, qualifications and technical classification of inspectors of the MoL for the year 2021. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that a Labour Inspection Procedure Manual was adopted in 2022, in order to improve the monitoring and inspection process and to regulate its procedures. The Manual outlines the legal framework applicable to inspections and consolidates inspection procedures. The Committee takes note of this information, which addresses its previous request.

Labour inspection: Convention No. 81

Articles 1, 2, and 3 of the Convention. Supervision of working conditions and protection of workers in special economic zones (SEZs). The Committee notes that, in reply to its previous request, the Government indicates that the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and the MoL signed a memorandum in 2001, which was amended in 2006. According to this memorandum the MoL, through its Directorate of Labour in the region, continues to administer labour affairs, while the ASEZA inspect the extent to which employers and workers comply with the recruitment and employment conditions specified in the legislation in force in the Zone. The Government also provides data on labour inspection activities by the ASEZA, indicating that there are six inspectors in the Aqaba SEZ, with 1,603 violations recorded as of July 2024 and 65 cases referred to the judiciary. The Government also indicates that 2,147 expatriate workers were found to be in violation. Regarding the MoL’s activities in the SEZ, the Government reports that the Aqaba Labour Directorate has 7 inspectors who conducted 648 visits, recorded 169 violations, and issued 359 warnings in 2023. While noting this information, the Committee requests that the Government provide further details on the nature of violations recorded by ASEZA and the MoL in the SEZ, including the specific provisions of the law under which expatriate workers were found in violation, as well as the nature and amount of penalties imposed. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate whether there is coordination between the MoL and ASEZA in their inspection activities and requests the Government to specify the legal provisions enforced by ASEZA within the SEZ.

Articles 10 and 11. Human and material resources of the labour inspectorate. The Committee notes that, in reply to its previous comment, the Government indicates that the MoL appointed 12 inspectors during the period from 2021–2024 and it is working to appoint another 17 inspectors. According to the Government there are currently 192 inspectors (199 in 2017). With regard to the material resources allocated to the inspectors, the Government indicates that inspectors were provided with cameras to record the different stages of the inspection. In addition, since the electronic inspection system was launched in 2022, inspectors use tablets to enter data concerning inspection visits conducted. With regard to strategic compliance planning, the Government also refers to the risk-based approach to inspections and to the requirement, introduced by the Instructions on the Inspection Procedures of the Economic Activities by the Inspectors of the Ministry of Labour for the year 2021, to develop yearly inspection plans and monthly work programmes based on risk classification of the establishments. Noting that the number of labour inspectors continues to decrease, the Committee requests the Government to continue to pursue its efforts in order to ensure that the labour inspectorate has the human resources necessary for the effective performance of its duties. It also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the specific measures taken for the recruitment of new labour inspectors.

Article 16. Adequate frequency and thoroughness of inspections to secure compliance. The Committee notes that section 6 of the Instructions for Procedures for the Inspection of Economic Activities by Inspectors of the MoL for the year 2021, provides for the possibility of economic entities to conduct self-inspections and indicates that the MoL would issue a decision to specify the criteria to be followed in such cases. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the self-inspection procedure, indicating the areas covered, the follow up given by inspectors and any implementing decision adopted by the MoL.

Articles 20 and 21. Annual labour inspection reports. The Committee notes that the labour inspection report for 2023 is available on the website of the MoL. The Committee further notes that the report contains information on the number of inspection visits and the number of violations detected. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in order to ensure that the annual labour inspection reports are published and transmitted to the ILO, in accordance with Article 20 and to ensure that they contain all the information listed under Article 21 of the Convention.

Labour administration : Convention No. 150

Article 3 of the Convention. Matters of national labour policy regulated by having recourse to direct negotiations between employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes that, in reply to the Committee’s previous comment, the Government indicates that for the period 2014–24, there were 39 sectoral collective labour contracts concluded, covering 6 sectors of economic activity. The Committee takes note of this information and refers to its comment formulated under the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98).

Article 4. Organization and effective operation of the labour administration system. With reference to the coordination of labour inspections between the ASEZA and the MoL, the Committee refers to its comment formulated above under the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81). The Committee also notes that the MoL is undergoing a restructuring process. The Committee requests the Government to provide details on the measures adopted in this respect and on the impact on the organization and effective operation of the labour administration system.

Article 5. Consultation, cooperation and negotiation between the public authorities and employers’ and workers’ organizations. In reply to the Committee’s previous request the Government provides information on the achievements of the Economic and Social Council during the period 2009–23 and for the first half of 2024. The Committee takes note of this information, which addresses its previous request.