The
COVID-19 situation seems to be going in the right
direction, both in Jordan and around the world. The world seems to be gearing up
to reopen, seeking release from one-and-a-half years of isolation and
lockdowns.
اضافة اعلان
Jordan’s healthcare efforts and decisions on partial, and
full lockdowns before that, have started to pay off as indicated by the drop in
daily
COVID cases, deaths, and hospitalizations, which has driven the government
to reduce curfews and begin to reopen sectors gradually. In June, a large
number of sectors is set to reopen as life slowly begins inching towards
normalcy.
And whether it takes a year or more, things will return to
normal, and defense orders, which have largely regulated society’s rhythm and
behavior will become a thing of the past. The private sector was among the most
affected by defense orders, nevertheless, they were put in place to protect
citizens’ job security and prevent companies from restructuring their staff
because of the pandemic’s economic repercussions.
Ultimately, those companies have survived thanks to the
government’s direct and indirect assistance through economic and financial
support programs provided throughout the pandemic to mitigate its impact,
including the “Estidama” program, cancelation of some permits and fees, and the
partial payment of fees owed to employees working at establishments that were
forced to fully close.
Eventually, all defense orders will be revoked, things will
return to their original course, and companies will have to restructure in
accordance with the Labor Law, which is their right, to avoid complete collapse
or dissolution. Therefore, major layoffs can be expected across commercial,
service, and industrial sectors, which have been the victim of heavy financial
burdens imposed by COVID-19 and have become incapable of facing a continued
decline in performance and productivity.
Some weeks ago, an international report revealed that some
140,000 Jordanians have lost their jobs due to COVID, which is a significant
number relative to the size of the Kingdom’s economy. Most of those who have
become jobless used to work in either the tourism or transportation sectors.
Once the pandemic ends and defense orders are no longer in
effect, the number of those laid off may worsen the issue, which may be
exacerbated by the induction of some 156,000 fresh graduates into the labor
market — among them 88,000 university graduates. This essentially means that
unemployment rates among the youth will likely reach unprecedented levels,
especially considering they now hover around 50 percent.
Past indicators have posed a threat on all levels and now
require the government to set forth a contingency plan to face the outcomes of what
may follow the end of the pandemic, by creating an accurate database and
network comprising those who have been laid off. The government must then
create a new system for the existing social protection network so that it may
absorb part of the impact caused by potential layoffs and the pandemic’s
financial aftermath. The government must also offer aid to this new social
segment, while supporting private sector efforts to boost its productivity and
sustain operations that threaten its existence.
This will allow the private sector to recuperate and take in
a larger number of fresh jobseekers and graduates, considering that measures
taken are not permanent, but are rather meant to address the needs of those who
have been laid off until companies can return to business as usual.
This requires the concerned parties to form an emergency
taskforce to deal with the issue at hand, so that it may communicate with
private sector representatives, and foster the role of social service
institutions, in addition to increasing their numbers.
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