Work permit fees for guest labourers employed in buildings increase by 30%

AMMAN — The Labour Ministry will start collecting the new work permit fees for guest workers in certain sectors on Monday, according to a government official.

The increase in work permit fees for these guest workers is aimed at regulating and controlling the local labour market, increasing employment opportunities for Jordanians and raising state revenues, according to Labour Ministry Assistant Secretary General for Directorates’ Affairs Ibrahim Saudi.

“Work permit fees for guest labourers working in buildings and villas will increase by 30 per cent. The measure seeks to raise the cost of recruiting foreign workers in this sector, where more Jordanians are willing to work,” Saudi said.

In addition, new fees will be imposed for bringing foreign workers into the country for employment in all sectors, except for hotels, restaurants, wholesale and retail trade, vehicle maintenance, Qualifying Industrial Zones, agriculture and domestic helpers, according to the ministry.

“The new fees seek to encourage employers to recruit guest labourers who are already in the country, particularly those working illegally, and to curb the rising number of foreign workers,” Saudi noted.

A total of 90,000 new guest workers enter the country each year, according to the ministry’s figures.

The ministry has also announced that new fees will be collected for guest workers who shift from one employer to another or from one sector to another.

“This decision seeks to ensure the stability of guest labourers at their workplace and with the same employer, thus increasing workers’ productivity and protecting the right of employers, who incurred costs for recruiting the workers and training them,” Saudi explained.

A total of 69.20 per cent of the foreign workers in Jordan are Egyptians, while 10.66 per cent are from Bangladesh, 4.89 per cent from the Philippines, 4.66 per cent from Sri Lanka and 2.48 per cent from Syria.

Also on Thursday, Interior Minister Hussein Majali said the ministry will not accept any requests to recruit foreign workers — including domestic helpers — without the prior approval of the Labour Ministry, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

In a circular, Majali said the measure is aimed at safeguarding the rights of workers and employers, and regulating the labour market, according to Petra.