AMMAN
– While the
Boycott, Divest, Sanction (BDS) movement has been around for years,
it took a rise after October 7. Since Israel’s war on Gaza, people worldwide
have denounced the occupation in more than one way, which includes boycotting.
From big-chain restaurants that have directly or indirectly supported the
occupation, to the boycott of its Western accomplices, it is a phenomenon that
has not only sparked a local response but has also made many looks to
alternatives, Jordan is not the exception.
اضافة اعلان
The
Kingdom has been deemed as one of the strongest countries supporting BDS and
once bustling big-chain restaurants with lines that could nearly be out the
door, many locals are continuing to look for alternatives, and the question
remains, how long will the
boycott remain?
In a
quest to look to the future of boycotts,
Jordan
News conducted several interviews with economic experts and former
employees to get their take.
Nidal Malo Al-Ein,
co-chairman of 100 Jordan Ltd. Co told
Jordan News “Despite my initial warning about the impact of boycotting on the national
economy, it should be a positive action to avoid negative effects on
individuals, their jobs, and livelihoods. The impact of the boycott is evident
in the local market but is minimal in global markets, where Arab markets
constitute only a small percentage.”
However,
he added that the
boycott can also lead to some national competition that can
exploit the situation to raise its profile. While Al-Ein mentioned the
Kingdom’s economy, globally, some key players are sharing that they are losing
sales.
He
emphasized that the crucial question in play is who is managing the boycott,
and if it will be nationally endorsed, which if it is, can then lead to a
different ball game.
A potent tool
Meanwhile,
Economist Hussam Ayyash told
Jordan News “The economic boycott serves as a potent tool, with its impact significantly
affecting local investors, specific companies, national institutions, Jordanian
workers, and the overall national economy.”
In
his recommendation, the
boycott’s duration should be limited to effectively
convey its message that viable local alternatives are available.
He
added “The importance of a clear message in economic boycotts, is that it
should not adversely impact local investors. He clarifies that the boycott's
objective is to exert economic influence on the entities being boycotted,
representing individual decisions. Prolonged boycotts may result in negative
reactions impacting the national economy.”
However,
employees on the ground are dealing with an alternative perspective. Maram
Al-Helou, a 21-year-old university student, works at one of the well-known
major restaurant branches. She told
Jordan
News that she works on an hourly basis, and when the boycott took place,
job opportunities declined.
Employees can return when ‘things get
back to normal’
Maram
Al-Helou, a 21-year-old university student, works at one of the well-known
major restaurant branches. Since she works on an hourly basis, she found that
job opportunities since
October 7 have declined, and unfortunately, some of her
colleagues were laid off. She added that they were informed that they would be
contacted when things “return to normal.”
She
emphasized that many university students rely on these jobs to support
themselves. When she visits the kitchen and sees the products used, she barely
finds them to be local. However, she believes that most of them bear the names
of well-known Jordanian companies, and she also thinks that the boycott will
have an impact on these companies.
The local products may not meet the
required quality standards
On
the other hand, Leena Al-Manseer, a 39-year-old employee, told
Jordan News expresses her support for
the boycott but leans more towards supporting local products. She mentions the
need to find alternatives that support local products. She notes that these
companies should provide good alternatives that are close in quality to foreign
goods. She also observes that sometimes local products may not be of excellent
quality, but their prices are high.
Khalil
Al-Zamil, the owner of a hypermarket, told
Jordan
News that he noticed
Jordanian citizens' commitment to the boycott.
However, he believes that people will return to buying these products after the
war ends because local products do not meet the required quality standards, and
their prices are high. He also mentions that companies have started to improve
and develop alternative products like soft drinks.
Majdi
Al Hashlamoun the head of the Jordanian Investors Association told
Jordan News “We are all committed to supporting our people in the occupied
territories through every available means. One effective way to express our
stance is by boycotting any entity that provides support to the occupier, who
perpetrates the most heinous forms of aggression against our people. This
boycott not only symbolizes our position or diminishes support for the
aggressor but also serves as a support for the local industry base and our
national economy. This strengthens our internal front and enables us to
continue supporting our brethren in Palestine.”
However,
we must not overlook the potential negative effects of this boycott on the
national economy, such as job losses. Therefore, the private sector should
shoulder its responsibilities and collaborate to mitigate these effects by
absorbing the workforce that may be adversely affected. In doing so, we affirm
our duty to our people in the occupied land and strive to address economic
challenges with caution and unity.
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