Jordan Licensing Requirements
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Jordanian law mandates a 50% hiring quota of Jordanian workers, but higher percentages of foreign labor are allowed‎ in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone and other development zones throughout the country. In the garment sector, the quota for employing Jordanian workers is 25%, but plans are in place to gradually increase this share to 65% by 2020.
Jordan has a well-educated and trained labor force of 1.6 million people, of whom approximately 315,000 are registered foreign workers. Unofficial indicators suggest that unregistered foreign workers are nearly double this number. Most foreign laborers are employed in the construction, agriculture, and domestic sectors. The Ministry of Labor regulates foreign worker licensing, licensing fees, prohibited sectors, and employer liability. Along with the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Labor is responsible for approving the hiring of professional foreign workers by private businesses.
Jordan has a well-educated and trained labor force of 1.6 million people, of whom approximately 315,000 are registered foreign workers. Unofficial indicators suggest that unregistered foreign workers are nearly double this number. Most foreign laborers are employed in the construction, agriculture, and domestic sectors. The Ministry of Labor regulates foreign worker licensing, licensing fees, prohibited sectors, and employer liability. Along with the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Labor is responsible for approving the hiring of professional foreign workers by private businesses.