Amman: The Ministry of Labor launched a campaign, themed "A Child Learns... Jordan Progresses," to mark World Children's Day (WCD), observed annually on November 20. This initiative includes two weeks of inspection tours starting November 16 across all governorates of the Kingdom, aiming to ensure employers' compliance with the Jordan Labor Law and prevent the recruitment of children in violation of its provisions.
According to Jordan News Agency, the ministry is also conducting awareness workshops for employers and children, focusing on national legislation and the occupational hazards children may face in the workplace. The ministry's spokesperson, Mohammad Zyoud, emphasized the importance of WCD in highlighting children's rights and protecting them from exploitation, including child labor.
Zyoud stated that the day serves as a call for joint efforts to reduce child labor, involving governments, employers, workers, and all segments of local communities and civil society organizations. He noted that the Jordan Labor Law aligns with international conventions ratified by Jordan, such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and International Labor Conventions concerning the "Minimum Age for Admission to Employment" and the "Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour."
The Jordan Labor Law prohibits the recruitment of children under 16 and bars their employment in hazardous work before 18. This year, the ministry visited approximately 6,041 establishments, uncovering 154 child labor cases and issuing 37 warnings and 85 tickets to violating employers.
The ministry conducted four specialized inspection campaigns targeting sectors with the highest child employment rates and received 92 complaints on the "Himaya" electronic platform about the rights of working children, along with 26 reports from citizens on child labor cases. Additionally, the ministry has implemented 28 awareness-raising activities about the dangers of child labor.