Amman: The Cabinet on Monday approved the justifications for a draft amendment to the 2026 Public Sector Human Resources Management Bylaw and referred it to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau to complete the required legal procedures. The amendments aim to make unpaid leave more flexible while ensuring the continuity of public services and improving workforce planning.
According to Jordan News Agency, the amendments propose significant changes to the current regulations governing unpaid leave for public employees. One of the key changes is the reduction of the minimum service requirement for unpaid leave from five years to three years. Additionally, the draft amendment removes the cap on the maximum leave period, providing greater flexibility for employees.
The draft also proposes the abolition of the requirement for employees to return during the final five years of service to qualify for a pension. This change would allow employees working abroad to either remain in their positions longer or return when it suits them without affecting their pension eligibility.
Another significant change includes extending the duration of unpaid study leave within Jordan to five years, aligning it with the current limit for study leave abroad. Furthermore, the draft allows employees on unpaid leave to voluntarily contribute to Social Security, ensuring they can maintain their benefits even while not actively working.
The new rules would apply to both current employees already on unpaid leave and those who are granted leave under the amended bylaw. To prevent disruption in public services, government agencies would be allowed to fill positions left vacant by employees on unpaid leave.
To enhance workforce planning, the draft amendment requires employees to notify their department one year before they intend to return to work. According to the government, the amendments are based on practical experience with the current system and are intended to strengthen human resources planning, manage vacancies more effectively, and ensure the efficient delivery of public services.
Source: Jordan News Agency