Amman: The International Labour Organization and the Social Security Corporation have successfully concluded the Estidama++ programme, a significant multi-donor initiative aimed at expanding social security coverage to approximately 46,000 workers, thereby supporting Jordan's transition towards a more formal labor market.
According to Jordan News Agency, the closing ceremony was held under the patronage of Minister of Labour and Chairman of the SSC Board Khaled Al-Bakkar. The event was attended by representatives from development partners, diplomatic missions, and labor market institutions. The programme received support from the United Kingdom, Norway, and the Netherlands.
In his remarks, Al-Bakkar highlighted that informal employment remains a major challenge in Jordan's labor market, with 54% of the workforce employed in the informal economy, contributing 27.4% to the GDP in 2020. He stressed that this challenge is further complicated by changing work patterns and evolving skills required by local and regional markets.
Al-Bakkar emphasized that Estidama++ serves as a practical model for transitioning to a formal economy through social security registration. This initiative contributes to Jordan's efforts in designing incentives that expand coverage and increase social benefits, facilitating a gradual shift from informal to formal employment.
The programme is linked to Jordan's Economic Modernization Vision 2022-2033, which seeks to unlock economic potential, enhance quality of life, and prioritize sustainability. The vision aims to create over one million jobs and achieve an economic growth rate of 5.6%. The recently launched second phase (2026-2029) includes 25 sectors and eight key enablers, focusing on urban development, quality of life, women's empowerment, and social protection.
Al-Bakkar noted that social protection, including social security, remains a core government priority and a crucial tool for advancing formalization. He stated that addressing informal employment requires clear policies that ensure decent work, and the Ministry of Labour, in collaboration with partners, has proposed incentive-based measures to encourage private-sector participation in expanded social protection frameworks.
Under Estidama++, the SSC utilized all available tools to provide contribution subsidies and enrollment incentives to around 46,000 workers, with total funding of approximately JD 24 million. The corporation also implemented complementary programmes, such as maternity protection schemes, reduced contribution systems, coverage for craftspeople and professionals, flexible work inclusion, and targeted awareness campaigns on social security and occupational safety.
The programme focused on reducing financial barriers to enrollment for wage workers and the self-employed in the informal economy by offering a one-year contribution subsidy, supported by in-person and media outreach. Behaviorally informed awareness campaigns increased social security enrollment by up to 14%. Collaboration with the International Social Security Association helped position Jordan's experience globally on effective social protection systems.
Development partners praised the programme's long-term benefits. Anniken Kleven-Gasser, Deputy Chief of Mission of Norway to Jordan, commended the initiative for demonstrating how time-bound incentives by robust national institutions can yield tangible results for both workers and employers.
Pier de Vries, Deputy Head of Mission at the Netherlands Embassy, stated that Estidama++ aligns with broader development efforts, including support for Jordan under the PROSPECTS Partnership, emphasizing sustainable solutions to strengthen social protection and promote decent work, especially for vulnerable groups.
Melissa Boutler, Social Protection Lead and Social Development Adviser at the UK Embassy, highlighted the importance of ensuring access to social security for low-income workers to protect families from economic shocks and support wellbeing throughout the life cycle.
Amal Mowafy, ILO Country Coordinator in Jordan and Senior Regional Employment Policy Specialist, remarked that Estidama++ marks a key milestone in the ILO-SSC partnership towards building a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable social security system in line with international labor standards.
The closing event celebrated success stories, institutional lessons, and the programme's contribution to strengthening Jordan's social protection system and promoting formal employment through scalable, evidence-based approaches.