Khaberni - The head of the Union and Reform parliamentary bloc, MP Captain Zuhair Mohammed Al-Khashman, stated that the bloc regards the amended social security law project for the year 2026 as one of the most critical legislations directly affecting the lives of Jordanians, given its profound impact on the present and future social and financial well-being of the citizens. He asserted that the bloc rejects the project as proposed by the government and fully adheres to the proposals, remarks, and conclusions presented to the Parliamentary Labor Committee.
Al-Khashman highlighted that the Union and Reform parliamentary bloc extends its gratitude and appreciation to the Parliamentary Labor Committee for the effort put into studying this proposal. He also appreciates the responsible and active role played by the bloc's representative in the committee, MP Jameel Dehaisat, who clearly expressed the bloc's firm stance and its bias towards citizens' rights and the necessity to protect the social security institution from any infringement or weakening.
Al-Khashman pointed out that the bloc's stance was not a transient political stance but was based on a precise study and clear vision, rooted in the continuity of the social security fund and not infringing upon the rights of the Jordanian citizen. He explained that this law affects not just a specific group or a narrow segment, but all citizens, and hence cannot be handled lightly or passed without thorough, fair, and comprehensive study.
Al-Khashman emphasized that the bloc will never accept any encroachment on lower and middle classes, and rejects any approach or formula that could negatively impact these segments already facing difficult economic and living conditions. He clarified that social security was established to be a safe haven for the Jordanian citizen, not a tool to impose new burdens on them or to reduce their rights under any pretext.
Al-Khashman explained that any responsible handling of this file must be based on a clear, fair, and comprehensible equation, built upon the number of subscriptions, and aiming at two inseparable objectives: first, the sustainability of the social security fund, and second, protecting the rights of subscribers, retirees, and all citizens. He stated that the bloc believes true reform should not come at the expense of people, but through building balanced solutions that preserve the fund as well as the dignity and rights of citizens.
Al-Khashman emphasized that the stability and decision-making independence of the social security institution must remain free from any direct governmental interference, as social security is not a trivial administrative matter, but a right for every Jordanian, a right that is non-negotiable and cannot be infringed or diminished. He also stressed the necessity of managing this issue on solid grounds of oversight, governance, transparency, and accountability, through an effective and clear role for both the Audit Bureau and the House of Representatives, ensuring the protection of citizens' money, and enhancing trust in the institution, and preventing any mismanagement of its decision-making or resources.
Al-Khashman pointed out that during a meeting of the heads of parliamentary blocs in the House of Representatives with the Speaker of the House, the bloc affirmed its full adherence to the stance it presented before the Labor Committee. It also clearly demanded the involvement of an independent and neutral actuarial expert to professionally and precisely study the law project, and to come up with a final formulation that is agreed upon, favoring the citizen, preserving the guarantee, and establishing fair, responsible, and sustainable management.
Al-Khashman concluded by emphasizing that social security is a guarantee for the Jordanian citizen, not an area for experimentation, backtracking, or imposing treatments at the expense of the weakest groups. The Union and Reform parliamentary bloc will remain firm on its position, adhering to all proposals that ensure the continuity of the fund and protect the rights of people, and rejecting any project that does not achieve justice or safeguard the social security of Jordanians.
