Amman, July 9 (Petra)-- The government, represented by the Ministry of Labour, and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have signed a Letter of Intent to launch an immediate transitional technical cooperation program and an 18-month development initiative aimed at promoting decent work in Jordan's garment and textiles sector.

The Letter of Intent reflects both parties' commitment to temporary cooperation while a comprehensive long-term development cooperation program is finalized.

The agreement follows the Jordanian government's request for technical assistance from the ILO to strengthen labour governance, worker protection, and sustainable compliance with international labour standards in the garment industry.

The government has allocated financial resources for the initiative and coordinated with employers, workers' organizations, and relevant national institutions to establish its framework.

The immediate three-month program will begin this month and run alongside the longer-term initiative, which will extend from August 2026 through January 2028.

The program will focus on improving workplace compliance, labour inspection systems, preventing and addressing forced labour, promoting fair recruitment practices, protecting migrant workers, expanding access to grievance and remedy mechanisms, and strengthening social dialogue across the garment sector.

As part of the immediate response, the ILO will support national efforts to strengthen worker grievance mechanisms, assist a worker support and care center, build the capacity of workers' organizations, support a risk-based labour inspection initiative targeting high-risk areas, and help the Ministry of Labour establish a national coordination mechanism.

Additional measures include enhancing the Ministry's "Himaya" electronic complaints platform, engaging development partners and civil society organizations, reviewing labour recruitment and mobility practices, producing knowledge products and tools on forced labour prevention, facilitating structured dialogue with international buyers, and conducting a forced labour risk assessment to support the development of an early warning system for the sector.

Under the transitional technical cooperation framework, special attention will be given to supporting the government's response to manufacturers affected by recent Withhold Release Orders (WROs) issued by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Assistance will include targeted technical support to strengthen remediation efforts, corrective measures, and prevention strategies, while reinforcing institutional systems to identify, address, and mitigate labour rights risks and ensure sustainable compliance with international labour standards.

The support may also include engagement with relevant stakeholders to improve labour standards implementation, strengthen labour governance mechanisms, and promote effective prevention and remediation approaches throughout the garment industry.

The immediate measures are intended to provide coordinated, systems-based technical assistance while laying the foundation for a broader long-term development cooperation program titled "Advancing Better Working Conditions in Jordan's Garment Sector." Minister of Transport and Acting Minister of Labour Nidal Al-Qatamin said the signing of the Letter of Intent demonstrates the government's firm commitment to acting swiftly, transparently, and in partnership with all stakeholders to safeguard workers' rights and maintain confidence in Jordan's garment sector.

He noted that Jordan has a strong record of cooperation with the ILO and its social partners, adding that the Ministry of Labour is determined to address current challenges in the garment industry with the seriousness and responsibility they require.

Al-Qatamin said the cooperation program will enable the government to continue leading a coordinated national effort to protect workers, support factories in meeting their obligations, and reinforce Jordan's position as a responsible and reliable sourcing destination.

For her part, ILO Regional Director for Arab States Ruba Jaradat welcomed the Jordanian government's initiative and reaffirmed the organization's commitment to supporting national institutions and social partners.

"The ILO values the Jordanian government's proactive initiative and its readiness to take concrete measures to strengthen decent work in the garment sector," Jaradat said.

She added that the partnership provides an important opportunity to proactively advance decent work through stronger labour inspection systems, fair recruitment, effective grievance mechanisms, enhanced social dialogue, and improved access to remedies.

Jaradat stressed that the ILO stands ready to work with the government, employers, and workers in Jordan to strengthen labour protection systems and enhance the sector's long-term resilience.

The cooperation builds on the longstanding partnership between Jordan and the ILO and is aligned with Jordan's Decent Work Country Programme for 2026–2027.

//Petra// MF