By Inspection teams from Jordan’s Ministry of Labour, working with the Public Security Directorate, apprehended 20 domestic workers in recent days for violating the Labour Law after leaving the homes of the employers who had recruited them, according to Jordan News. The arrests took place during inspection campaigns across various areas of the country.
Ministry spokesperson Mohammad Al-Zyoud said the ministry is continuing intensive inspection campaigns to locate domestic workers who have absconded from their jobs, “with the aim of regulating the labour market and reducing such cases.” He added that field visits are ongoing to identify and apprehend more workers in violation of the law.
The legal framework for domestic workers in Jordan
Jordan regulates domestic work through the Labour Law and a dedicated regulation on domestic workers, cooks, gardeners and similar categories. The ministry’s enforcement action rests on the principle that a domestic worker’s legal residence and work authorisation in Jordan is tied to the specific employer who recruited them. When a worker leaves that household without a formal transfer, their status becomes irregular under Jordanian rules.
The ministry’s warning extends beyond the workers themselves. Al-Zyoud said legal measures would be taken under applicable legislation against anyone found cooperating with such workers, “whether by employing them, sheltering them, or helping them remain absent from their jobs.” This means households that hire a runaway domestic worker, even informally, can face penalties.
What this means for employers and households
For HR managers and families employing domestic workers in Jordan, the enforcement campaign carries immediate practical implications. The ministry has signalled that it will treat third parties who employ or shelter absconded workers as violators, not just the workers. A household that takes on a domestic worker without verifying their status could find itself facing legal action.
The ministry has urged citizens and employers not to deal with or employ workers in violation of labour regulations, and to report any violations through official channels. For payroll and compliance teams, this means verifying a domestic worker’s sponsorship and work permit status before any engagement, and documenting that verification.
How to check a worker’s status
The ministry has not published a specific new portal for these checks in the announcement, but it has directed employers to use its official channels for reporting violations. Employers who are unsure about a domestic worker’s status should contact the Ministry of Labour directly before offering any work, housing or payment arrangements.
The enforcement pattern suggests that inspection teams are moving across various areas rather than focusing on a single city or region. Employers should expect field visits and should keep recruitment records, employment contracts and any ministry correspondence readily available.
Common mistakes that create liability
The most common mistake is assuming that an informal arrangement with a domestic worker is low risk. Under the ministry’s stated position, employing, sheltering or helping a runaway worker remain absent from their original employer all create exposure. This includes providing accommodation to a worker who says they are between employers, or paying a worker cash without a formal contract.
Another mistake is failing to report a suspected violation. The ministry has framed reporting as a way for citizens and employers to protect their rights and maintain stability in the labour market. Silence does not protect an employer if an inspection later finds a runaway worker on the premises.
| Situation | Risk under ministry position |
|---|---|
| Worker presents valid permit tied to current employer | Low, if verified |
| Worker says permit is being processed | High, verify before engagement |
| Worker has permit tied to a different employer | High, do not employ or shelter |
| Worker has no documents | High, report to ministry |
The ministry has not stated a deadline for employers to come into compliance, but the ongoing nature of the inspection campaigns means the practical window for correcting any issues is narrow. Employers who discover they have engaged a worker in violation should seek guidance from the ministry directly rather than waiting for an inspection.
Sources: Jordan News
Photo: A researcher interviews a domestic worker at her workplace in Bandung, Indonesia by Marielle Velander, CC BY-SA 4.0
