New SSC law amendments to address loopholes, ensure better services — Rahahleh

AMMAN — The Jordan Transparency Centre (JTC) on Friday organised a dialogue session titled "Social Security is Reality and Hope" to discuss amendments to the Social Security law, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

At the beginning of the meeting, JTC CEO Hilda Ajeilat briefed attendees on the centre’s role in promoting integrity and combating corruption in Jordan.

General Director of the Social Security Corporation (SSC) Hazem Rahahleh said that the corporation prioritises cementing social security in the Kingdom and serving the interests of subscribers when establishing its policies and strategic plans.

In over 46 dialogue sessions across the Kingdom, the SSC listened to proposals and observations presented by civil society organisations in order to amend the law, Rahahleh added. 

The new amended law will ensure greater fairness among participants and address a number of loopholes, Rahahleh said, stressing that the corporation will spare no effort in enhancing social security for all subscribers. 

The bill aims to bolster social security in Jordan and provide better services for vulnerable groups, he noted, adding that amendments proven to be beneficial will be applied immediately upon legal approval. 

Since the beginning of 2022, the SSC has transferred JD300 million in security surpluses to the Social Security Investment Fund (SSIF), the investment arm of the corporation, Rahahleh said, describing the corporation’s financial status as “comfortable”.

The corporation conducts an actuarial study to examine its medium-and long-term financial status at least once every three years in implementation of the provisions of the law, he said. 

The 10th actuarial study showed positive improvement in the break-even point between contributions, revenues and expenses, he said, adding that the SSC will reach the break-even point in 2050, rather than the 2041 date predicted by a previous study.

Rahahleh attributed this improvement to the corporation’s efforts to expand coverage and increase the number of subscribers, and partially to the 2019 amendments to the law. 

Currently, all the corporation’s services are provided electronically, saving subscribers time and effort, he said. 

The SSC offers distinguished services, including air ambulances, the immediate treatment of work injuries, the electronic archiving of documents and data, internal electronic correspondence, payments through DAMAN PAY and IBANK, and covering the operational costs of nurseries, he highlighted.