In Ma’an, a tragic incident unfolded as a 30-year-old man took his own life by hanging himself inside his home. According to sources close to the young man, he made this heartbreaking decision due to his struggles with unemployment.
Regrettably, such incidents have been occurring periodically, particularly among unemployed young men. Not long ago, in late June, a man in his twenties ended his life in Amman by hanging himself, as he faced obstacles in obtaining a non-criminal record certificate necessary for employment.
The severity of the unemployment issue is evident in the latest figures released by the Department of Statistics, revealing that the unemployment rate in Jordan reached 21.9% in the first quarter of 2023.
Jordan Labor Watch has highlighted this pressing concern in several reports, calling for immediate action to address the persistently high unemployment rates, which are significantly higher compared to pre-COVID figures (19.2% in Jordan) and global averages.
To combat this challenge, Jordan Labor Watch strongly recommends the implementation of productive projects that can create genuine job opportunities, especially for the youth who are disproportionately affected.
In addition to job creation, there is a need for a comprehensive reassessment of the government's longstanding employment policies, which have thus far failed to achieve their intended goals. Urgent and effective measures are necessary to alleviate the burden of unemployment and provide hope for a better future.