Jordan’s government reaches out to unions in search for appeasement

Jordan’s government reaches out to unions in search for appeasement

AMMAN – Negative economic indicators in Jordan are prompting the government of Prime Minister Bisher al-Khasawneh to look for social appeasement with active national forces, especially unions, which in recent years have managed to fill the vacuum created by the decline of political parties and the absence of serious parliamentary opposition.

Since last year, Jordan's economic situation has been deteriorating with the spread of the coronavirus pandemic that has ravaged various sectors, especially fragile ones, and led to massive layoffs.

Khasawneh's government recently submitted the 2021 budget to parliament. While presenting the broad framework to parliamentarians, Finance Minister Muhammad al-Ississ said the latest budget was the most difficult and exceptional, in light of a large deficit that is expected to reach $2.89 billion after accounting for foreign grants.

Although the government is committed to not imposing a greater tax burden on citizens, it remains concerned about a confrontation with the street, especially as citizens' patience runs thin with no potential breakthrough in sight.  

Since 2017, unions have been at the forefront of confrontation with Jordan's successive governments, succeeding in overthrowing the government of former Prime Minister Hani al-Mulki and creating a chronic headache for former Prime Minister Omar al-Razzaz's cabinet.

 In this confrontation, the teachers'