The Phenix Center for Economic and Informatics Studies, in collaboration with the Oxford Internet Institute and funded by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), launched the results of two studies under the “Fairwork” project for 2025, highlighting the realities of working conditions for digital platform workers in Jordan.
Ahmad Awad, Director of the Phenix Center, stated that digital transformation represents a profound economic and social shift, offering flexible work opportunities in ride-hailing, food delivery, and cloud-based freelance platforms. He emphasized that Jordan, which suffers from high youth unemployment and gender disparities in economic participation, could benefit from these transformations if directed toward development rather than limited income generation. He stressed the need to balance digital transformation with decent work standards.
The first study, presented by researcher Morad Kotkot from the Phenix Center, focused on the working conditions of ride-hailing drivers. It revealed that drivers face significant challenges, as their income depends on the number of trips and hours worked, fluctuating with demand by location and peak times. Net income is low after deducting operational costs such as permits, vehicle installments, fuel, maintenance, internet, and fines, sometimes leaving only a small margin or even losses. The study also highlighted the absence of occupational safety networks and social security, exposing drivers to risks of unemployment or accidents without protection. Contracts are electronic, based on foreign references, and often “adhesion contracts” that do not allow negotiation.
The study further showed weak communication channels within platforms, no mechanisms to appeal bans or ratings, signs of discrimination based on vehicle type, and the absence of collective representation or unions, leaving drivers in unbalanced individual contracts.
Recommendations included amending Jordan’s labor law to cover platform workers, developing flexible insurance tools to integrate them into social security, strengthening company oversight, reviewing contracts to align with relevant legislation, enhancing driver safety, and extending vehicle operating lifespans to stabilize income.
Commenting on the study’s findings, Nidal Assaf, Head of Smart Applications at the Land Transport Regulatory Commission, noted that new regulations require platforms to clarify contracts and ensure transparency, with preliminary approval granted to 15 of 33 local platforms applying for licensing. Dr. Omar Al-Araishi, a labor policy expert, pointed out that while Jordanian law does not currently recognize platform drivers under labor law, countries like France consider adherence to platform policies as a form of dependency requiring inclusion under labor legislation.
He called for amending Jordan’s labor law to cover modern work patterns. Lara Al-Tamimi, Director of Studies and Policies at the Ministry of Labor, explained that the ministry has been studying the sector for three years, reviewing contracts, and ensuring workers’ rights, citing the regulation of private school teachers as a model for unorganized sectors. Mohammad Khreis, Director of Research and Studies at the Social Security Corporation, confirmed that elements of dependency exist in driver-platform relations, but digital management complicates inclusion. He emphasized ongoing efforts to include drivers in all types of social security coverage while negotiating with platforms to contribute.
The second study, presented by researcher Dr. Ola Bader, focused on women working through digital platforms. It found that while platform work provides income, it is fragile and unstable. 69% of women earn below the minimum wage, and 54% consider platform work supplementary income. The study revealed that declared flexibility does not reflect reality: 68% suffer from severe time pressure, and 97% face global competition affecting wages and hours. It also highlighted weak legal protection, unilateral changes in pay or ratings, lack of grievance mechanisms, and 93% reported not being informed of reasons for penalties or bans. Professional associations are absent, though 67% expressed interest in joining representative bodies.
Despite these challenges, platforms offer access to international markets and digital reputation-building, potentially opening high-value career paths if supported by training in pricing, algorithms, and negotiation skills.
Recommendations included updating legislation to define “digital worker,” creating new social security categories for independent digital workers, amending flexible work regulations to recognize digital contracts, and integrating cloud-based work into the national occupational classification. The study also recommended training and empowerment programs for women, micro-financing via e-wallets, media campaigns to support women’s participation in the digital economy, requiring platforms to adopt fair pricing policies, guaranteeing minimum wages, ensuring transparency, and establishing safe reporting mechanisms for harassment or discrimination.
Dr. Alessio Bertolini from the “Fairwork” project emphasized that platform economies provide important job opportunities amid high unemployment in Jordan, stressing the importance of legal and social protections to maximize economic and social impact. Social protection expert Mousa Al-Subaihi noted that only 29% of social security beneficiaries are women, calling for flexible insurance tools to cover all digital workers. Dr. Mohammad Al-Hurr, an expert in digital platforms and artificial intelligence, argued that integrating AI into contractual relations could enhance transparency, fairness, and opportunity distribution.
Dr. Ola Badr concluded that transforming digital work into “decent work” requires integrating legal and social protections, professional skills, and technical transparency, reducing income gaps and granting women greater economic independence.
Participants stressed the need for comprehensive policies, including legislative updates, stronger social security, professional training, empowerment programs, and transparent digital evaluation standards, to ensure safe, sustainable, and equitable working environments for digital platform workers in Jordan.