arabic.cnn.com
Jordan Halts Foreign Worker Recruitment Amidst High Unemployment
Jordan's Ministry of Labor halted foreign worker recruitment until further notice to conduct a labor market study, impacting various sectors, amidst a 21.4% unemployment rate (2024) and existing concerns about informal labor.
- What are the immediate consequences of Jordan's halt on foreign worker recruitment?
- The Jordanian Ministry of Labor announced a halt to foreign worker recruitment, citing the need for a comprehensive labor market study. This follows a three-month period where 350,000 work permits were issued, 5% of which were granted during this period. The decision excludes domestic workers and will be accompanied by intensified inspections to address illegal foreign labor.
- How does this decision relate to Jordan's high unemployment rate and the existing informal labor market?
- This decision, while impacting sectors like agriculture and construction that rely on foreign workers, aims to address Jordan's high unemployment rate of 21.4% (2024). Experts suggest this is a common regulatory measure, but emphasize the need for a detailed labor market study and parallel policies to stimulate economic growth and improve working conditions for Jordanians.
- What systemic changes are necessary to ensure that halting foreign worker recruitment leads to sustained improvements in the Jordanian labor market?
- The long-term success hinges on stimulating economic growth of at least 5% annually, improving working conditions, and enhancing social safety nets to attract Jordanians to sectors currently employing foreign workers. Addressing the high unemployment rate (46.6% among young Jordanians, 32.9% among women) requires more than just restricting foreign labor; it necessitates fundamental economic and social reforms.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the decision to halt foreign worker permits as a necessary measure to address high unemployment. The headline and introduction emphasize the government's stated rationale for the ban. While experts' opinions are included, the framing of the narrative leans towards justifying the government's action, rather than presenting a completely balanced perspective on the potential benefits and drawbacks.
Language Bias
The article mostly uses neutral language in reporting the facts, but the repeated emphasis on the high unemployment rate among Jordanians and the government's justification for halting foreign worker permits can create a subtle bias. Words like "ضروري" (necessary) and "متفّهم" (understandable) when discussing the government's actions may subtly influence the reader towards accepting the policy's merit. More balanced phrasing could incorporate the concerns of businesses and the foreign workers to avoid this slant.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the government's perspective and the concerns of business owners, potentially omitting the viewpoints of foreign workers who might be affected by the ban on new work permits. While the high unemployment rate among Jordanians is mentioned, the specific challenges faced by foreign workers in Jordan are not detailed, creating a potential bias by omission. The article also doesn't mention any potential negative effects of this decision on the Jordanian economy, such as potential increases in prices or shortages of labor in certain sectors.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplified dichotomy between Jordanian and foreign workers, implying that addressing unemployment among Jordanians necessitates restricting foreign labor. This overlooks the complexities of the labor market, such as the possibility of both groups filling different roles or the potential for collaboration rather than competition. The option of focusing on upskilling and retraining Jordanian workers to fill job roles currently held by foreign workers is not extensively discussed.
Gender Bias
The article mentions high unemployment among young Jordanian men and women, providing specific statistics. However, it does not delve into gender-specific impacts of the ban on foreign workers. While it mentions the exclusion of domestic workers from the ban, it doesn't analyze the potential gender implications within that sector. Further analysis could assess if the ban disproportionately affects women either in Jordan or from the foreign workforce.
Sustainable Development Goals
The Jordanian government's decision to temporarily halt the inflow of foreign workers aims to address high unemployment rates among Jordanians (21.4% in 2024 and above 46% for young people) by potentially increasing demand for local labor. While it may negatively impact some sectors initially reliant on foreign workers, the government intends to use this pause to study labor market needs and implement policies to improve opportunities for Jordanian citizens. The long-term goal is to create more decent work and foster economic growth that benefits the local population.