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Jordan urged to keep labour initiatives to ensure garment worker safety

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and the Fair Labor Association (FLA) urged King Abdullah II of Jordan to maintain two key labour programmes to guarantee safety and fairness for his country’s garment workers.

A letter was sent on behalf of fashion buyers, urging the King's government and relevant parties to fully support the continuation of the International Labor Organization-International Finance Corporation (ILO-IFC) Better Work Jordan program and the Workers Center, which is supported by the International Labor Organization (ILO) for garment workers.

Jordan has maintained its membership with the ILO since 1956, consistently adopting global labour norms by ratifying a total of 26 Conventions.

Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump’s administration declared a significant reduction in the foreign aid contracts overseen by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), slashing them by more than 90%.

The ILO-IFC Better Work Jordan programme and the Workers Center initiatives play a key role in providing protections and services to Jordan's garment workers, which includes both local and foreign migrant employees. They offer assurances that labour rights standards recognised internationally are being independently evaluated and adhered to.

The AAFA/FLA highlighted that these programmes are crucial for their members to maintain confidence in sourcing from Jordan, as they ensure that workplaces are safe, ethical, and fair.

“The elimination of these programmes would stymie that growth. At a time when buyers have to make significant decisions about the future of their sourcing, the disappearance of these programmes will create uncertainty that will turn what should be a great opportunity for Jordan into an opportunity lost. Therefore, we again urge your Majesty’s government, and all constituents, to make every effort to fully maintain the operations of ILO-IFC Better Work Jordan and the Workers Center. On behalf of the buyers, we would like to also request a meeting with your Majesty’s government to discuss this important issue,” the letter stated.

In January of this year, Jordan's Ministry of Labour announced a new collective labour contract to raise the minimum wage for workers in the country's textile sectors, including spinning, weaving, and clothing production.