His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday congratulated the Kingdom’s workers on the occasion of International Labour Day, which falls on Wednesday.

During a visit to the King Abdullah II Industrial Estate in Sahab, King Abdullah checked on the conditions of workers at the zone and was briefed on the training programme they receive at the specialised centre, where they are trained in metal industries, in line with market demands.

Also on Tuesday, the King met with several citizens who were able to find jobs through the National Campaign for Recruitment. The King listened to suggestions from several workers on how to enhance the ongoing campaign, in order to empower young Jordanians and provide them with training that will help them find meaningful employment.

At a ceremony marking the day in the presence of His Majesty, Minister of Labour and Transport Nidal Katamine stressed the ministry’s commitment to enhancing the conditions of labourers in the country.

He added that the ministry will go ahead with its plans to help curb unemployment through job creation, so as to alleviate poverty.

He said that the next stage for the ministry in this employment programme is to sign an agreement with several private sector entities that will offer job opportunities.

The minister added that “National Recruitment Days” will be held in different governorates to assist job seekers.

Referring to recent campaigns by the ministry to regulate the work of foreign labourers in Jordan, the minister said the Kingdom’s stability makes it attractive for guest workers.

Katamine said the ministry will go ahead with these campaigns to regulate the labour market and replace foreign labour force with skilled Jordanians.

Loay Sehwail, director general of Jordan Industrial Estates Corporation, described Jordan as an oasis of stability in the region that is attractive for foreign investments.

He added that 52 new investments began operating in Jordan’s five industrial estates in 2012, an 80% increase from 2011. The total value of new investments in 2012 reached JD550 million, he said, adding that these projects created 1,500 jobs.

In his remarks at the event, Sehwail added that there are 600 investments at the country’s five industrial estates, with a total investment volume of JD2 billion. These investments, he said, have created an estimated 35,000 jobs.

Yazan Harb, one of the beneficiaries of the National Campaign for Recruitment, said he used to work long hours and receive low wages in his previous job.

However, through the employment initiative, he was able to find a job with a better salary and better working hours at a mall in Amman after applying at one of the campaign’s job fairs.