Amman: Deputizing for His Majesty King Abdullah II, Minister of Labor Khaled Al-Bakar participated in the Labor Day celebration held Thursday at the Royal Cultural Center, organized by the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions (GFJTU). Al-Bakar began his speech by congratulating the nation’s workers on their commitment to developing and progressing the kingdom on behalf of His Majesty the King. Additionally, he expressed Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan’s gratitude for their outstanding work and accomplishments. Labor union leaders and members, employers, civil society organizations, and representatives of businesses and economic institutions attended the ceremony.
According to Jordan News Agency, Al-Bakar highlighted the ongoing progress in the development process and the unrelenting efforts to offer every citizen a good life under the rule of law, security, and stability. He confirmed that workers receive ongoing attention from His Majesty the King. Without the leadership’s insight, the hard work of Jordanian laborers, and their desire to build their nation, this progress and prosperity would not have been possible.
Al-Bakar noted the rapid changes in the labor market and production methods, emphasizing the need for competition, participation, and learning from global experiences. He underlined Jordan’s dedication to educating youth and equipping them to engage in production and creativity, thereby unlocking their creative and competitive potential. The main goals of the Ministry and the Vocational Training Corporation, he explained, include employment and training, offering job opportunities, supporting individual initiative, establishing suitable production environments, and ensuring occupational safety and health standards.
He further stressed the importance of bilateral agreements with friendly and sister nations to expand Arab and global markets. Al-Bakar emphasized the royal initiative focusing on productive sectors to limit migration to urban hubs and localize development. He mentioned that more than 10,000 jobs have been created, with the majority going to women in rural and desert regions.
GFJTU President Khaled Fanatseh stated that the Federation has made significant strides in reclaiming its historical and national position as the largest civil society organization in the country, representing over a million workers. Fanatseh commended the government’s responsiveness to demands and challenges, announcing an increase in the Federation’s yearly allotment and a distribution from presidential allocations to settle unpaid debts.
Ihab Al-Qadiri, representing the Jordan Chamber of Industry, praised Jordanian workers as the driving force behind production and economic development. He highlighted the industrial sector’s achievement of producing more than 1,500 items with the “Made in Jordan” badge, reaching over 150 markets worldwide. He emphasized the importance of investing in people and creating a respectable and secure workplace that upholds employees’ rights and dignity.