Khaberni - The Director General of the Jordan Chamber of Industry and the Chairman of the Board of the Electricity Distribution Company, Dr. Hazem Rahahleh, explained the reasons for raising the retirement age according to the new Social Security law. He noted that the challenges the social security system faces cannot be seen as an exceptional situation unique to Jordan. Economic and demographic changes that the world has witnessed for decades, and those expected in the coming years, have led many countries, especially developed ones, to periodically amend their social security legislation. In many cases, these amendments have been more significant and severe than what is currently proposed in the amended bill.
He added that the increase in the average life expectancy, coupled with declining fertility rates, and the resulting rise in the proportion of elderly compared to the rest of the population, create structural pressures that burden social security systems in most countries around the world.
He continued, today, we face an urgent need to proactively and responsibly address these challenges. Postponing action will inevitably lead to more profound and severe reforms in the future. The most important point in this context is the principle of gradual implementation included in the amended draft law. As long as this principle exists, the details and mechanisms of its application remain a legitimate area for discussion and constructive dialogue.
Rahahleh emphasized that, in parallel, there should be an expansion in complementary protection tools, particularly broadening the benefits of unemployment insurance significantly for the groups to be covered by the proposed amendments, along with reviewing the provisions of the labor law to provide a broader protection umbrella for workers, and to achieve a better balance between the requirements of financial sustainability and ensuring social justice.
