Phenix Center for Economic & Informatics Studies Phenix Center for Economic & Informatics Studies
A research report issued by the Phenix Center for Economic and Informational Studies under the Jordanian Labor Watch program calls for legislative reforms and comprehensive economic and social policies to advance women’s economic justice in the Jordanian labor market and address the structural challenges that limit their economic participation. The report was released on the occasion of International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8.
The report points to a clear gap between official discourse on women’s empowerment and the reality of women’s economic participation. It emphasizes that women’s limited integration into the labor market is not only linked to social and cultural factors, but is also closely connected to the structure of economic policies and the social protection system in Jordan.
The report also notes that these challenges are further compounded by the complex regional context. Ongoing instability in the region—driven by the occupation of Palestine and the wars waged by Israel with the support of its Western allies—has created a difficult political and economic environment that undermines development opportunities across the region.
According to the report, these circumstances increase economic and social pressures on neighboring countries, including Jordan, which negatively affects labor markets and prospects for sustainable development. These impacts are particularly severe for the most vulnerable groups, especially women.
The report indicates that statistical indicators continue to reflect weak economic participation among women. Women’s labor force participation rates remain significantly lower than those of men, while unemployment rates among women remain high. The gender wage gap persists in several sectors, and the proportion of women covered by social security remains relatively low, reflecting the widespread presence of women in informal employment.
It further highlights that these indicators are linked to a set of interconnected challenges, including weak social protection systems and the prevalence of social security evasion in some sectors that employ women. Additional challenges include wage disparities, discrimination in the workplace, and risks of violence and harassment at work. Women also face the burden of balancing paid work with unpaid family care responsibilities, particularly in the absence of adequate supportive infrastructure such as childcare facilities and reliable public transportation.
The report also draws attention to emerging challenges associated with new forms of work, such as digital platform work and home-based employment. Many women working in these sectors lack clear contracts and adequate social protection, exposing them to economic exploitation and unstable income.
In response to these challenges, the report presents a set of policy recommendations and alternative measures aimed at enhancing women’s economic participation and ensuring a fairer and safer work environment. It calls for a review of the Social Security Law and its related regulations to expand social protection coverage to include vulnerable groups of women workers, such as those in agriculture, domestic work, and digital platform-based employment. It also recommends strengthening the sustainability of maternity insurance and linking it with mechanisms that support institutional childcare services.
The report further urges the Senate to expedite the passage of amendments to the Labor Law that were approved by the House of Representatives. These amendments include extending maternity leave and strengthening legal protections for women workers. It also stresses the need to incorporate a clear definition of gender-based violence in labor legislation, including sexual harassment and online harassment in the workplace.
Moreover, the report emphasizes the importance of ratifying International Labour Organization Convention No. 190 on violence and harassment in the world of work, and aligning national legislation with its provisions to ensure workplaces free from violence and discrimination.
On the economic front, the report stresses the need to develop gender-responsive economic policies that focus on creating decent job opportunities for women and improving wage levels. It also calls for strengthening public transportation systems and expanding institutional and public childcare services in workplaces to support working mothers and enable them to remain in the labor market.
The report also recommends strengthening the oversight role of the Ministry of Labour and the Social Security Corporation to combat social security evasion and address violations against women workers. In addition, it calls for building partnerships between the government and civil society organizations to monitor the conditions of women workers, particularly in informal sectors.
Finally, the report stresses that achieving women’s economic justice in Jordan requires moving beyond rhetoric to concrete policies. It concludes that women’s economic empowerment is not only a matter of rights, but also a key pillar for promoting economic growth, social stability, and sustainable development in Jordan.
