Gov’t, associations reach agreement to raise professional union members’ salaries

AMMAN — Professional unions and the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) have agreed on a framework for the employment and salary raises of union members, according to President of the Professional Associations Council Zaid Kilani.

Kilani, who is also the president of the Syndicate of Pharmacists, said in a press statement after the meeting between the CSB and the associations, which took place on Saturday, that the increase in salaries will be implemented as of the beginning of 2020, in line with the contents of the third governmental economic reform package.

“The economic stimulus linked to improving the living conditions of citizens, particularly those of the professional associations, has been allocated and set in next year’s budget,” he added.

Kilani said that in return for the salary increases, the professional unions will raise the standards for member requirements within a general structure formed by the bureau.

It was agreed at the meeting that unions will submit a draft including the updated requirements and competencies necessary to improve the performance of their members in accordance with the needs of ministries and relevant official authorities.

The draft will be reviewed by the CSB, and, upon its approval, will end months of discussions between the government and associations, all of which has been guided by His Majesty King Abdullah to “reach an understanding that would contribute to improving the living conditions of public sector employees, including professionals”.

The bonuses for the Jordan Medical Association (JMA) have already been announced, with some bonuses reaching up to 275 per cent. The lowest bonus for doctors stood at 160 per cent, allocated for a general doctor with no specialty, according to a JMA statement.

Other associations have not yet announced agreed bonuses, but Head Media Officer of the Professional Associations Committee Majed Smadi told The Jordan Times over the phone that after the Prime Ministry agrees to the draft, the employment mechanism as well as the bonuses will be announced.

Meanwhile, Secretary General of the Civil Service Bureau Badriya Balbisi on Sunday confirmed that the increase in government employees’ salaries under the third economic incentives package will come into effect in the beginning of 2020.

She said that the increase will cover 100,000 employees — 30,000 of whom are in the first category, 23,000 in the second category and 47,000 in the third category, with a 20 per cent increase for the first and second categories and a 15 per cent for the third category, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Speaking during a meeting with human resources officials in governmental institutions and departments, Balbisi highlighted the importance of partnership between decision makers and entities that execute the administrative planning in governmental agencies.