Amman: Following a direction from Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan, the Cabinet has reviewed a presentation by the Minister of State for Public Sector Development concerning the provisions of the Public Sector Human Resources Management bylaws related to unpaid leave. During a meeting held on Saturday, the Cabinet instructed that amendments be made to address feedback and observations on the unpaid leave provisions, with the changes to be implemented by the end of the year.
According to Jordan News Agency, the Council has also mandated the continuation of feedback collection to refine the bylaws, aimed at leveraging strengths to enhance public sector performance and improve service delivery to citizens. The proposed amendments focus on revising unpaid leave provisions to balance public sector interests with employee needs, ensuring the broader public interest is served. These changes will apply to all employees listed in staffing schedules who have completed five years of service in the public sector.
The propo
sed changes outline specific circumstances under which unpaid leave may be granted, including accompanying a spouse employed, studying, or on secondment abroad, provided supporting documents are submitted; pursuing academic qualifications with proof of enrollment; and working within or outside the Kingdom under a valid employment contract.
Additionally, the amendments propose a maximum duration of five years for unpaid leave outside the Kingdom, subject to approval by the relevant authority. Within the Kingdom, unpaid leave is capped at one year for employment purposes and two years for academic study or caregiving for a parent or family member, supported by appropriate documentation.
The amendments introduce several conditions for granting unpaid leave: it must not disrupt work requirements or create conflicts of interest, and employees must have at least five years of actual public sector service to be eligible for unpaid leave. Employees covered by social security must provide proof of continued particip
ation in the program during their leave, and the remaining service period required for pension eligibility must be at least five years. The total unpaid leave within and outside the Kingdom throughout an employee’s career must not exceed five years.
For employees already on unpaid leave before July 1, 2024, authorities may extend their leave if the remaining service period for pension eligibility is at least five years. Extensions are limited to a maximum of three years for leave outside the Kingdom and one year for leave within the Kingdom.
The amendments allow for exceptional unpaid leave in emergencies for up to three months per year, limited to three instances during an employee’s entire public sector career. The changes aim to improve public employees’ financial, social, and academic conditions, address exceptional circumstances like caregiving needs, and enrich public sector expertise by enabling employees on unpaid leave to gain diverse experiences within and beyond the Kingdom.
The amendments also
seek to limit indefinite unpaid leave, which previously restricted job opportunities for other Jordanians, and reduce reliance on temporary contracts to replace employees on leave, which often resulted in hiring less qualified individuals without equivalent rights. These amendments reflect the government’s efforts to incorporate feedback on the Public Sector Human Resources Management bylaw, ensuring an effective and efficient public sector capable of delivering quality services to all citizens and businesses.