Jordanian from all walks of life have recognized the need
for further political reform. The latest crisis has stirred this sentiment more
than before.
اضافة اعلان
The government had responded to Royal Directives, shortly
after parliamentary elections were held, regarding the need to review laws
regulating parliamentary and partisan life in the country. Days ago, a
ministerial committee began tackling this mission. However, no matter how
profound the intended political reform is, its impact on the method of
governance and the results of altering partisan life on the economy will not be
tangible any time soon. The reform process needs a few years before it comes to
fruition in the form of tangible change.
This is not a call to abandon the reform project, but rather
a push to quickly move forward and cut down on as many stages as possible. But
to reach that stage, a major challenge faces the state; one that cannot be
shelved: Worsening unemployment, especially following the onset of the
pandemic.
We are facing a rolling ball of fire, now that unemployment
rates have crossed a red line of 25 percent. Figures show that at least 400,000
young men and women are looking for jobs in the Kingdom. According to a Jordan
Labor Watch report, based on Department of Statistics figures, unemployment
grew by some 80,000, compared to 2019, at a 24 percent increase rate. A recent
Workers’ House report found that the economic aftermath of the coronavirus
pandemic on the labor market, surpassed that of 1989 economic crisis.
The
pandemic has also revealed a shortage in social
protection programs for workers, less than half of whom are not covered by such
initiatives. This has deprived hundreds of thousands of people from receiving
any form of support due to being unemployed and the closure of sectors.
The Social Security Corporation has made considerable
efforts to cover as many people as possible under its services and programs,
but the impact of the crisis has been too great to be treated in the course of
a few months.
We cannot wait for political reform and an elected,
parliamentary, and partisan government to address this serious challenge. State
institutions and the private sector must cooperate quickly to stimulate the
national economy and kickstart postponed project plans and open doors to
investment without obstacle or administrative excuses, to create tens of
thousands of jobs and increase economic growth rates.
Today, we need large and small projects, business and
entrepreneurial initiatives, including by the youth, in addition to all
possible tax incentives to encourage investors to start new projects.
Economic policy must be steered first and foremost towards
serving the labor market, preparing and employing the unemployed, and ensuring
they are all subscribed to social security and health insurance.
The public sector is incapable of creating notable change in
this regard, the challenge is tied to the private sector’s role.
Otherwise, the anger of the unemployed will blow up in our
face and may not give political reform the chance to continue marching towards
its objectives.
Read more opinions
.jpg)
.jpg)
