The Jordanian Labor Watch has called for amending the legislation governing the smart transport application sector to ensure drivers are recognized as employees and provided with minimum labor and social rights. It highlighted that approximately 90,000 drivers work in ride-hailing and food delivery applications in Jordan, the majority of whom are not covered by social security.
اضافة اعلان
In a newly released report, the Labor Watch stated that thousands of Jordanians have come to rely on app-based transport and delivery work as their primary source of income. This comes at a time when current legislation still classifies them as "service providers" rather than employees, depriving them of basic labor rights—most notably social security and its associated benefits, such as pensions, work injury compensation, and unemployment insurance.
The report noted that the expansion of this sector has been driven by persistently high unemployment rates and a decline in traditional job opportunities. This has made smart transport applications a primary option for the unemployed, recent graduates, and employees seeking to supplement their income, in addition to retirees forced to look for extra income due to low pensions.
According to the report, the number of licensed ride-hailing app drivers stands at around 14,000, according to Land Transport Regulatory Commission (LTRC) data, while the commission estimates the number of unlicensed drivers at approximately 50,000. Furthermore, estimates from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship for the year 2023 indicate that the number of food delivery drivers exceeds 25,000, reflecting the growing scale of labor tied to the digital platform economy in Jordan.
The report emphasized that the difficult reality faced by app-based drivers necessitates an urgent review of the labor legislation regulating digital platform work. This must explicitly ensure their recognition as employees and grant them basic, recognized labor rights, especially given that an increasing number of drivers depend on this activity as the primary source of income for themselves and their families.
The report pointed out that continuing to treat drivers as "service providers" rather than employees no longer aligns with modern international developments. It noted that several European countries have moved in recent years to expand labor protections for digital platform workers, as practical reality has proven the existence of clear levels of subordination, supervision, and control exercised by operating companies over working conditions, wages, performance evaluations, and job continuity.
The report warned that the challenges faced by drivers are not limited to the absence of social protection. They extend to declining income levels due to rising operational costs and commission deductions that reach up to 30 percent of the ride value in some cases. Additionally, delays in transferring financial dues resulting from electronic payments directly impact the economic stability of the drivers.
Furthermore, the report cautioned against the fragility of job security in the sector, as some drivers face suspension or blocking from work based on customer complaints without adequate verification or grievance mechanisms, which can lead to the sudden loss of their sole source of income.
In light of these challenges, the report recommended amending the Labor Law to recognize the employment relationship established between drivers and the companies operating smart applications. It called for mandating these companies to enroll their workers under the social security umbrella, establishing a fair cap on deducted commissions, accelerating the transfer of financial dues to drivers, and strengthening guarantees against arbitrary suspension.
The report concluded that app-based transport work is no longer a temporary or marginal activity, but has become a core component of the Jordanian labor market structure. This requires developing policies and legislation that ensure a balance between supporting the digital economy and protecting the rights of its workforce.
