Amman: Minister of Labor Dr. Khaled Bakkar and Egyptian Ambassador to Jordan, Mohammed Samir, discussed aspects of joint cooperation, particularly on issues related to labor affairs and Egyptian workers in the Kingdom.
According to Jordan News Agency, Bakkar stated that Jordanian-Egyptian relations are “brotherly and historically rooted,” highlighting the ongoing coordination between the two countries, led by His Majesty King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. This coordination reflects the visions of the two leaderships on joint issues to serve common interests.
Bakkar emphasized that the ministry’s measures to regulate the labor market are designed to serve the interests of non-Jordanian workers and safeguard their rights, with particular attention to protecting Egyptian workers from exploitation. He affirmed that Jordan’s Labor Law does not discriminate between Jordanian and non-Jordanian workers in terms of labor rights.
The minister noted that Egyptian workers have been welcomed in Jordan for many years and continue to be widely accepted by employers. Regulatory measures aim to support the private sector by ensuring sustainability, protecting workers, and providing a working environment that includes work-related injury insurance, especially in agriculture.
Bakkar also highlighted that any illegal worker, Egyptian or otherwise, who has not been arrested, can approach their employer to voluntarily regularize and rectify their status in line with the Labor Law. The importance of the e-platform for recruiting Egyptian workers was underlined as a tool to regulate the process and protect them from exploitation.
The two sides agreed on the need to enhance awareness among Egyptian workers before their recruitment in Jordan about their rights, obligations, and responsibilities according to the Jordanian Labor Law.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian envoy noted that Egyptian-Jordanian relations are “distinguished,” due to the wisdom of the leadership in both countries. He mentioned that Egyptian workers have significant experience working in Jordan. However, the diplomat stated that the Egyptian embassy does not have official statistics on the number of Egyptian workers and expatriates in Jordan, relying solely on figures issued by the Jordanian Ministry of Labor.