ARDD discussion session calls for strengthening voices of migrant workers in Jordan

AMMAN — The Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) hosted a discussion session titled "Strengthening the Voices of Migrant Workers in Jordan" as part of the "Haquna" (Our Right) project, which is implemented in partnership with the Heinrich BöllStiftung - Palestine and Jordan. 

The goal of the discussion was to contribute to empowering, protecting and promoting the rights of migrant workers, said an ARDD statement.

A “Migrant Workers Committee” was formed, as part of the project, to encourage civic participation and defend and advance the rights of migrant workers in Jordan.

During the session, there were renewed demands by human rights organisations, youth, and civil society to empower migrant workers and prevent their rights from being violated through legislation. 

Also discussed were challenges facing migrant workers in host communities, the need to listen to their voices, and to offer them all forms of protection. 

The number of migrant workers in Jordan is estimated at nearly one million, with Egyptians constituting the largest part, the statement said. 

Executive Director of ARDD Samar Muhareb highlighted the lack of awareness, both among many Jordanians and among migrant workers, of the rights and duties of the latter, and the need to work to raise workers' awareness and shed light on the challenges they may face.

Muhareb also stressed the importance of bringing labour legislation in line with international standards, as this will help improve the legal, economic, and social conditions of workers in Jordan.

Director of the "Haquna" project Lina Halasa said that they helped migrant workers secure their rights and exercise their civic role in their communities by supporting them to establish a "Migrant Workers Committee" as part of the regional platforms dedicated to and focused on refugee and migration issues, Migration and Refugee Forum for the Arab World (MARFA), which is part of ARDD’s networks.

She also said that the project provides training for migrant workers on civic participation and knowing their rights, and encourages them to come up with their own initiatives that address their rights and needs.