Jordanian Labor Watch -
The coordinating committee of the Jordanian Engineers Association (JEA) members organized a protest on Saturday in front of the Professional Associations Complex in Amman.
The purpose of the protest was to express their objection to the recent amendments made to the retirement fund system of the Jordanian Engineers' Association for the year 2023.
During the protest, the engineers strongly demanded the reversal of what they deemed as "arbitrary" amendments, asserting that these changes were unconstitutional and contradicted the syndicate law.
These amendments, which were recently approved by the Cabinet, encompass several amendments. One notable amendment includes compulsory contributions that aim to ensure financial stability for the fund.
These amendments involve gradually increasing the legal retirement age to 62 for males and 58 for females. Furthermore, there were proposals to eliminate certain categories that burden the fund and impose deduction rates of 10% on the salaries of retired non-practitioners and 50% on the salaries of retired practicing engineers.
The deduction rate is subject to review based on actuarial studies. Additionally, the amendments suggest extending the period of installment exemptions to two years for those who commit to payment.
Regarding compulsory subscriptions to the fund, the amendments suggest exempting young engineers and new graduates from mandatory subscriptions for the first five years after graduation.
Furthermore, the union has implemented austerity measures, including allocating 10% of the budget to support the pioneering projects of young engineers.
Despite repeated attempts to establish communication, Jordan Labor Watch has been unable to contact the association.
Please note that this summary is based on the information provided and may not encompass all the nuances of the situation.