Jordan’s industrial sector dominates employment landscape — World Bank

Jordan’s industrial sector dominates employment landscape — World Bank

AMMAN — The national industry and manufacturing sector, the largest employer of the national workforce, is contributing to positive employment growth, according to a World Bank report.

World Bank issued a report titled “Jordan Economic Monitor, Fall 2023: Building Success, Breaking Barriers — Unlocking the Economic Power of Women in Jordan”.

The report emphasised that generating employment remains a significant challenge, as economic growth has not translated into substantial gains in labour market outcomes.

Fathi Al Jaghbir, the president of the Jordan Chamber of Industry, told The Jordan Times that the Jordanian industrial sector stands as the leading employer within the private sector.

“The sector employs over 250,000 workers, with Jordanians comprising over 90 per cent of the workforce,” Jaghbir added.

Furthermore, Jaghbir expressed that the industrial sector possesses the potential to generate additional job opportunities for citizens, particularly in the event of increased exports.

“Supporting productive sectors, especially those capable of generating job opportunities, particularly the industrial sector, can contribute to alleviating the problem of unemployment, which poses a growing threat to societal security,” added Jaghbir.

“Despite the growth recovery, entrenched structural constraints continue to weigh on labor market outcomes,” the report said.

It further noted that positive employment growth was observed only in tourism, and to