Clearance company workers press on with strike

AMMAN — Workers at clearance companies operating in Aqaba said Wednesday they were determined to go ahead with a work stoppage protesting their relocation to a new site as the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) said it will move ahead with the plan.

“We have been holding a work stoppage for the past five days and we will continue with it. ASEZA wants to relocate us from the main port in Aqaba to another location, which is around 35km away from the port,” Salah Shamaileh, head of a committee representing workers at clearance companies, told The Jordan Times.

“The road leading to the new location where they are planning to move is known as the death road, because many accidents occur there. In addition, the site in the new location is smaller and far from the customs facilities we need to work with to finish clearance papers. ASEZA will close the main customs centre at the port,” Shamaileh said.

Mahmoud Khleifat, ASEZA secretary general and commissioner for customs and revenues, said the relocation will start on Sunday, adding that the new venue has facilities for all the relevant departments, including customs, the Jordan Food and Drug Administration and the Ministry of Agriculture.

“The relocation will help reduce pressure on the port significantly. There will be more space for the handling of containers and shipments,” said Khleifat.

“When all authorities are in one place, it will make the work of clearance companies faster. The new location is built in line with international standards and is spacious,” he added.
“The Ministry of Public Works and Housing will conduct some expansion and rehabilitation of the main highway leading to the new location. In addition, it will install lighting units along the road,” said Khleifat.

Also on Wednesday, Nabil Sharabati, representative of the electronics sector at the Jordan Chamber of Commerce board, called for resolving the issue of the strike, noting that 150 containers loaded with electric appliances have been waiting for clearance measures for four days, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

He warned that the strike comes at a bad time as the private sector is preparing for the fasting month of Ramadan, expected to start in early June and during which consumption rises substantially, and the summer season.

Acknowledging employees' legitimate rights, Sharabati argued, however, that frequent strikes could drive away investors.