Amman, Jordan – The General Federation of Trade Unions (JGFTU) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) on Saturday signed an agreement to implement the second phase of the project “Union Power for a More Inclusive and Gender-Equal World of Work”, under the patronage of the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Labour, Dr. Abdulhalim Dujan.
According to a statement issued by the Federation, the agreement was signed by JGFTU President Khaled Al-Fanatsah and ILO Jordan Country Coordinator Dr. Amal Mowafy, in the presence of Decent Work for Women Programme Manager Reem Aslan, trade union leaders, and members of the project team.
The nine-month project aims to enhance workers’ access to labour rights, promote gender equality, and strengthen the Federation’s institutional capacity to advance inclusive social dialogue.
Dr. Dujan reaffirmed the Ministry of Labour’s support for the project’s objectives and highlighted its importance in strengthening the effectiveness of trade unions in representing workers’ interests, defending their rights, and leading the labour movement through their inherent collective strength. He noted that this enables unions to play a meaningful role in society and contribute to positive change. He also commended the Federation’s efforts during the current period, particularly its institutional development, growing public presence, and ability to advocate for the interests of working men and women.
For his part, Al-Fanatsah stated that the project forms part of the strategic partnership between the Federation and the ILO, which is built on shared goals of advancing labour legislation, expanding social protection, and promoting decent work standards. He added that the initiative aligns with the Federation’s strategic plan to increase women’s access to trade union leadership positions and strengthen their participation in union activities. The project, he said, focuses on reinforcing the role of trade unions as key actors in fostering inclusivity within the labour market.
Dr. Mowafy emphasized that the signing of the agreement reflects a shared vision for promoting decent work, social justice, and inclusive social dialogue in Jordan. She noted that the agreement builds on the tangible achievements of the project’s first phase, serving as a roadmap for further progress based on outcomes achieved through social dialogue sessions and the National Labour Conference.
She also expressed confidence in the Federation’s experience, expertise, and partnerships, enabling it to continue playing a pivotal role in strengthening social dialogue, defending workers’ rights, and supporting reforms aimed at making Jordan’s labour market more inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the needs of women and young people.
Project Manager Shatha Al-Aqayleh presented an overview of the first phase’s achievements and key outcomes across the project’s various objectives and pillars. She also outlined the work plan for the second phase, including its main activities and expected results.
The project includes a range of activities, such as field visits to economic enterprises, training workshops to raise legal awareness of labour rights, specialized capacity-building programmes for the Federation’s Women’s and Youth Committees, a national conference on international labour standards, and the review of five collective bargaining agreements with recommendations on their responsiveness to gender equality considerations.
This cooperation is implemented within the framework of the “Equality at Work” project, funded by the Government of Norway and implemented through the ILO’s Decent Work for Women Programme in Jordan.