By : Ahmed M. Awad
Jordan Daily – Amidst the intense political developments in Jordan, with the formation of a new government led by Jafar Hassan following a comprehensive royal mandate, alongside the election of a new parliament based on revised foundations and the emergence of a legitimate and public political party movement, the need to focus on societal priorities has become increasingly clear. Among these priorities, strengthening social protection stands out as a critical issue, particularly as it has faced successive challenges over the years, despite the presence of a well-structured national strategy dedicated to this cause.
Ignoring social protection or addressing it in a fragmented manner exposes societies—no matter how resilient they may seem—to significant risks. Social protection is not a luxury or an expense that can be adjusted during times of crisis. It is, rather, a vital necessity for the sustainability of both the economy (any economy) and society.
This caution is not limited to “leftist” analyses, whose representatives are currently absent from Jordan’s parliamentary scene. Major global economic and financial institutions, known for their staunch liberalism, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the Davos Forum, all agree that neglecting social protection exacerbates social inequality and economic disparity, which in turn threatens both economic stability and social cohesion.
When discussing social protection, it is essential to revisit the “Jordanian National Social Protection Strategy,” which emphasizes several key areas, including social security, labor standards and wages, healthcare, education, and other protections that are based on contributions, as well as those that are not.
The issue does not lie in the absence of strategies or concepts, as can be seen, but rather in the government’s economic and social policy choices. Despite expansion in certain areas of social assistance, other crucial aspects, such as decent work, social security, and more, have seen significant regression.
This decline is not only the result of external conditions but also stems from governmental policies that have failed to adhere to the national strategy. Instead of improving working conditions and raising the minimum wage, young people have been deprived of some social security benefits until the age of 30, and efforts to enhance working conditions in both the public and private sectors have dwindled.
This issue extends beyond the labor market. The poor quality of public services, such as healthcare and education, continues to pose a major challenge. The national social protection strategy places responsibility on the government to provide high-quality essential services in these two vital sectors. However, the reality reveals a significant shortfall in achieving this, stemming from weak social choices by successive governments and a tendency to view social protection purely from a financial perspective.
Looking ahead, any attempt to stimulate the Jordanian economy cannot succeed without investing in social protection. These protections are not merely welfare expenditures but represent a necessary investment for the sustainability of the national economy. Governments, including the new one, will be evaluated based on their commitment to enhancing social protection, as it forms the cornerstone for achieving social stability, which in turn leads to economic and political stability.
It is crucial to acknowledge that Jordan has not achieved many of the goals outlined in its national social protection strategy, which is set to expire in 15 months. This shortfall is largely due to government policies that have worked in opposition to the strategy’s objectives. Therefore, there is a pressing need to reassess these policies and approaches to ensure the safeguarding and enhancement of the remaining social protections. These protections are the cornerstone of any plan aimed at economic reform and ensuring long-term stability.
Ahmad Awad is the founder and director of the Phenix Center for Economic Studies, specializes in human rights and socio-economic issues. Advocate for human rights and promoting democracy and civil society at local, Arab, and international levels.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Jordan Daily.
