Amman, June 7 (Petra) – The General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions expanded its international diplomatic presence and forged cross-border labor alliances during its participation in the 114th Session of the International Labor Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. Federation President Khaled Al-Fanatseh led a series of high-level bilateral meetings with prominent trade union leaders from Germany, Norway, and Turkey to advance mutual training initiatives, share expertise on social dialogue, and navigate structural transformations within modern labor markets. According to an official federation statement released on Sunday, Al-Fanatseh emphasized that engaging with international labor models is a core strategic priority for the Jordanian federation to modernize domestic union operations, enhance collective bargaining frameworks, and entrench the principles of decent work across the Kingdom's economic sectors.

In a technical session with Caroline Vollmann, Head of International and European Trade Union Policy at the German Trade Union Confederation, the two sides analyzed strategies for crisis management and rapid adaptation to shifting labor market dynamics. The discussions focused on leveraging German frameworks to build institutional resilience and expand targeted workshops for women and youth. Vollmann expressed strong interest in the Jordanian federation's dedicated Migrant Worker Unit, and the German delegation confirmed its readiness to trade operational insights and benchmark successful practices regarding the integration and protection of transnational labor forces.

Al-Fanatseh also held a strategic meeting with Nina Mjoberg, International Advisor for the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions. The dialogue focused primarily on the shifting parameters of the green economy and the execution of Just Transition frameworks, which aim to upskill workers as industries adjust to changing environmental and economic policies. Mjoberg affirmed that the Norwegian confederation is fully prepared to provide ongoing technical and programmatic backing for these shared initiatives, which include capacity-building initiatives tailored specifically for Jordan’s youth and women’s committees to increase their representation in executive union leadership.

The Jordanian delegation focused extensively on expanding its Mediterranean and regional networks through detailed discussions with major Turkish labor bodies. In a session with HAK-IS Trade Union Confederation President Mahmut Arslan, the leaders agreed on comprehensive mechanisms to advance vocational training, workplace safety protocols, and joint coordination within regional labor forums. This was followed by a meeting with MEMUR-SEN President Ali Yalcin, where discussions centered on institutionalizing public sector labor practices, outlining a joint roadmap for the digital transformation of union administrative systems, and creating sustainable knowledge-sharing platforms.

The various meetings concluded with formal agreements to establish practical execution mechanisms, including reciprocal delegation visits and structured training seminars designed to align local union practices with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The high-level Geneva meetings were attended by a senior Jordanian delegation, including the Vice President of the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions, Khaled Abu Marjoub, Executive Bureau Member Bushra Al-Salman, and Federation Advisor Nizam Qahoush, who participated directly in the Turkish bilateral sessions.

//Petra// AA