Amman: The Cabinet on Monday approved the justifications for a draft amendment to the 2026 Public Sector Human Resources Management Bylaw and referred it to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau to complete the legislative process. The amendments aim to make unpaid leave more flexible while ensuring continuity of public services and improving human resources planning.

According to Jordan News Agency, key changes include reducing the minimum service requirement for unpaid leave from five years to three and removing the maximum leave period. The draft abolishes the requirement for employees to return to work during the last five years of service to qualify for a pension, allowing Jordanians working abroad greater flexibility to remain overseas or return.

For study leave, the draft standardises the maximum unpaid leave period at five years, whether the employee is studying inside or outside Jordan, instead of the current two years domestically and five years abroad. Employees on unpaid leave will be allowed to contribute voluntarily to Social Security. The amendments will apply to both current employees on unpaid leave and those granted leave under the new bylaw.

Government departments will be able to fill vacancies created by employees on unpaid leave to maintain service delivery. Employees wishing to return to work will be required to notify their departments one year in advance. The government said the amendments are intended to improve workforce planning, manage vacancies more effectively, and ensure uninterrupted public services while reflecting practical experience gained from implementing the current bylaw.