Jordan Labor Watch – The Jordanian labor minister Nayef Stetieh met on Tuesday with a group of workers from one of the companies subcontracted by the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO).
The meeting followed a protest by approximately 200 workers, against wage and benefit discrimination at the company, as well as their exclusion from membership to the General Trade Union of Workers in Electricity.
The minister vowed to assess the workers’ demands, launch an investigation into the allegations within no more than three weeks, and summon the company’s managers and representatives to settle the dispute.
In a statement shared with Jordan Labor Watch, the workers stressed the existence of wage and benefit disparities between workers of equal station at company—especially between technicians—with the only difference between them being whether they are employed by the parent company working with NEPCO or employed through the latter.
According to the statement, the pay gap reaches almost 1,000 dinars in some cases, with certain employees earning 1,200 per month while others are paid under 300 dinars for the same type and amount of work.
The workers also allege discrimination in the disbursement of hazard pay, with company workers receiving 75 dinars per month while contract workers receive only 15 dinars.
Some of the workers have been with NEPCO for years and continue to be employed under two or three month-long contracts; moreover, they are barred from joining the sector’s umbrella trade union.
The protesters say they are astonished by these disparities, as all employees work, eat their meals, and commute in the same vehicles, together.
The company in question, subcontracted by NEPCO, employs approximately 500 workers, most of whom are technicians.