Amman: Minister of Labor Khaled Bakar announced the completion of the pilot version of the Labor Market Information System, slated for launch by the end of the year, as part of efforts to modernize labor market governance and increase employment opportunities for Jordanians.
According to Jordan News Agency, the digital system will facilitate evidence-based decision-making by providing current data on labor supply, demand, and sector trends. The system is integrated with various government entities, including the Department of Statistics and the Social Security Corporation, ensuring robust cybersecurity measures with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship.
Bakar also introduced the Labor Market Observatory, which will monitor indicators and inform policy development. The observatory will roll out in four phases and is supported by an early warning system to identify economically distressed companies and promote compliance with national employment targets.
The Ministry’s strategies align with the Economic Modernization Vision to reduce unemployment and attract investment. Progress under royal initiatives has expanded production branches to 33, employing 9,298 Jordanians, with a capacity for 11,711 workers. Additional branches are operational or in development to localize job opportunities and reduce commuting.
The National Employment Program supported 51,291 employment contracts by mid-2025, benefiting 1,651 private-sector establishments. Over 10,000 job seekers registered in the first half of 2025, resulting in 3,673 individuals employed, alongside 34 job fairs.
Collaborations with the Vocational Training Corporation offer 128 training programs, with 10,850 trainees enrolled in the first half of the year and an employment rate of 62 percent for graduates. Partnerships with the private sector are forming specialized academies in various fields.
Bakar highlighted an estimated 430,000 unemployed and 357,000 Jordanians in the informal sector. The Development and Employment Fund financed JD9.7 million for 733 projects, creating 1,411 jobs. Programs support women’s economic empowerment and new business ventures.
Regulation measures for non-Jordanian labor include reviewing quotas, permitting inter-sector transfers, and revising work permit fees. Joint inspections led to the deportation of 4,552 undocumented workers in the first half of 2025.
The Ministry remains committed to labor rights and safety compliance, with 5,428 labor complaints lodged and 14,889 establishments inspected. The Domestic Workers Directorate continues efforts to protect rights and regulate recruitment practices.
The Ministry handled 26 labor disputes, resolving 22 through negotiations. A fund to support vocational training graduates will empower youth to launch entrepreneurial projects and secure sustainable livelihoods.