Amman: The Council of Ministers convened Sunday, approving a new bylaw to regulate government committee operations for 2025. This decision is part of a broader initiative to control expenditures, enhance institutional performance, and ensure effective oversight across the public sector.
According to Jordan News Agency, the Council tasked the Minister of State for Legal Affairs and the Minister of State for Public Sector Development with conducting a comprehensive study on government committees. This study includes evaluating rewards and allowances in line with existing laws and regulations. The ministers are expected to submit recommendations aimed at regulating committee operations, curbing unnecessary expansion, and standardizing the disbursement of rewards to ensure they are justified.
The newly approved bylaw provides a structured framework for forming committees within government departments, emphasizing the importance of qualifications, competencies, and specialized experience. It mandates that meetings occur during official working hours unless exceptional field conditions require otherwise, in which case prior approval is needed for meetings outside regular hours. No financial remuneration will be offered to committee members during official working hours, and the maximum allowance for meetings held outside these hours is capped at JOD100 per month. Committees must submit compliance reports and disclose any conflicts of interest related to their work.
In a related development, the Cabinet approved a set of instructions for the quantitative and objective evaluation of senior leadership positions in the public sector. This is based on Article 6 of the Government Leadership System No. 70 of 2024 and its amendments. The instructions aim to foster fairness and transparency in determining salaries for senior officials through a unified, objective mechanism. The evaluation will consider factors such as qualifications, departmental size, decision-making impact, and problem-solving capabilities. Salaries for senior leadership roles will be determined by a dedicated committee and require approval from the Council of Ministers. These instructions will apply to new appointees and existing officials upon contract renewal or salary adjustments, replacing the 2023 evaluation guidelines.
The Cabinet also approved the Administrative Organisation Bylaw for the Ministry of Public Works and Housing for 2025. This bylaw aims to clarify tasks, promote transparency, and improve internal coordination, aligning with the Ministry’s strategic plan for 2024-2026 and enhancing institutional performance while eliminating departmental overlaps.
Additionally, the Administrative Organisation Bylaw for the Orphans Funds Development Foundation was approved. This bylaw aims to clearly define organizational functions, relationships, and communication channels within the Foundation. Furthermore, the Cabinet endorsed an amended bylaw for the Geologists Syndicate to address a fund deficit caused by discrepancies between subscription fees and expenses.
In terms of legislative changes, the Cabinet endorsed a draft law amendment for the Traffic Law, specifically reducing the vehicle retention period for violations from 24 to 12 months. This measure aims to prevent depreciation and facilitate the sale of impounded vehicles while safeguarding owners’ rights. Lastly, the Cabinet accepted the resignation of Ahmed Amoush, the Director General of the Department of Lands and Survey.