Activities

Amman, Sunday, July 12, 2026

A new report has revealed that around 15,000 support service workers employed in Jordan’s public hospitals and health centers face precarious working conditions that fall short of decent work standards, despite playing a vital role in the country’s healthcare system. These workers are essential to the day-to-day functioning of hospitals and health centers, ensuring operational continuity and maintaining safe healthcare environments.

The report, issued by the Jordan Labour Watch, examines the working conditions of support service workers, including those employed in cleaning and sterilization, food services, laundry and linen, security, logistics, and other essential support functions. It finds that although these workers perform indispensable tasks that enable healthcare institutions to provide uninterrupted medical services, their employment conditions remain fragile due to the growing reliance on outsourcing and service procurement companies. This has negatively affected wages, social protection, working hours, occupational safety and health, and job security.

The report notes that official statistics do not classify support service workers as a separate occupational category, making it difficult to determine their exact number and employment characteristics. However, estimates by the General Trade Union of Health Services Workers indicate that at least 15,000 workers are employed in hospitals and health centers operated by the Ministry of Health, underscoring their significant role in the operation of public healthcare facilities.

According to the report, the majority of workers in this sector receive only the minimum wage of JOD 290, regardless of their years of experience or the nature of their responsibilities. This is compounded by the absence of transparent wage scales or regular salary increases linked to experience, seniority, or performance.

The report also documents continued cases of financial deductions that are disproportionate to the nature of alleged violations or the value of damaged equipment. In addition, salary payments are sometimes delayed due to administrative procedures related to payments made to outsourcing companies, directly affecting the financial stability of workers and their families.

The report further highlights ongoing shortcomings in social protection. These include cases where some workers are not enrolled in social security, or where social security contributions are deducted from wages but not transferred to the Social Security Corporation. It also points to uncertainty surrounding the transfer of government contracts between outsourcing companies, raising concerns over the continuity of workers’ social security entitlements.

Moreover, the report indicates that most support service workers do not benefit from additional forms of social protection, such as private health insurance, despite performing their duties in workplaces that expose them to significant occupational risks.

Regarding working hours, the report finds that many employees work beyond the legal limits without receiving overtime pay. Some also face difficulties in accessing annual or sick leave, while others avoid requesting leave altogether for fear of salary deductions or losing their jobs. These conditions negatively affect workers’ physical and mental well-being and ultimately impact the quality of healthcare services delivered in public institutions.

The report also highlights that support service workers are routinely exposed to biological, chemical, and occupational hazards. However, interviews conducted for the report revealed shortcomings in the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) and occupational safety and health training. In some cases, workers are even required to pay for work supplies or protective equipment themselves, despite employers being legally responsible for providing them.

Jordan Labour Watch stressed that the lack of job security remains one of the most serious challenges facing workers in this sector. Employment continuity depends largely on the outcome of government tenders and the transfer of contracts between outsourcing companies rather than on the operational needs of healthcare facilities or workers’ experience and performance. This creates a constant sense of uncertainty and fear of dismissal or contract non-renewal, discouraging workers from claiming their rights or filing complaints due to concerns over retaliation.

The report emphasizes that improving the working conditions of support service workers is not merely a labor issue but a prerequisite for enhancing the quality and sustainability of healthcare services. It argues that the current outsourcing model requires comprehensive reform to strike a balance between operational efficiency and the protection of workers’ rights.

Jordan Labour Watch calls for a review of public service procurement contracts to include binding provisions that safeguard workers’ rights, establish wage scales linked to experience and years of service, and ensure that workers retain their acquired rights when contracts are transferred between companies. The report also recommends strengthening labor inspections of contracted companies, enhancing enforcement of labor and social security legislation, and developing an official database of support service workers to support more equitable and effective policymaking for this essential sector.