Jordan issues record number of work permits to Syrians

AMMAN — The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday welcomed Jordan's "significant progress" in including Syrian refugees in the labor market in 2021, having issued 62,000 work permits for Syrian refugees, according to the government and UNHCR figures, carried by Khaberni.اضافة اعلان

The number of work permits given to Syrian refugees in 2021 was the highest since Jordan started issuing work permits to Syrian refugees in Jordan, UNHCR said in a statement.

Out of 62,000 work permits, 31,000 are flexible permits, also a record, allowing refugees to move between jobs in the same sector and change work location between the governorates. 

Syrian refugees have been allowed to work in various sectors since 2016 after the international community pledged to fund and expand trade under the Jordan Agreement, an initiative to improve access to education and legal work for Syrian refugees forced to flee their homes.

“Refugees can play an important role in the Jordanian economy, and they should,” said UNHCR Representative in Jordan Dominic Barch. Adding that “allowing refugees to work also reduces the need to rely on humanitarian assistance, such as cash assistance that can be directed to support the most vulnerable among them.”

Jordan hosts more than 760,000 refugees and asylum seekers registered with UNHCR, including about 670,000 from Syria, making Jordan the second host country after Lebanon in the number of refugees.

“Even in countries whose laws allow refugees to work, finding a job is often very difficult, especially with high unemployment. The negative impact of the pandemic on the economy of refugee-hosting countries is another obstacle for those trying to access the labor market, and increased support for refugee-hosting countries is critical to help the economy recover, and make it for refugees to find work,” said UNHCR Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

“If given the opportunity, refugees can bring innovation to the workplace and make significant contributions locally,” he added.

Previously, Syrian refugees in Jordan were only allowed to work in agriculture, construction, and manufacturing, but last year, some were granted exceptions to work in other sectors, including health care to help address the pandemic.  Since July 2021, Syrian refugees have been able to obtain work permits in all sectors open to non-Jordanians which enables them to work in services, sales and crafts.

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