• Jordan officially suspends all recruitment of non-Jordanian workers effective May 29, 2025.
• Nationwide inspections to verify full compliance with labor laws across all governorates will intensify.
• Future recruitment efforts will strictly depend on verified labor market demand through comprehensive official assessment.

Jordan

What happened? Jordan’s Ministry of Labor has officially halted recruitment of foreign workers starting May 29. Moreover, this follows a three-month window that allowed employers to fill labor shortages across key sectors.

The ministry clarified that the suspension  will remain until a full labor market study is completed. Additionally, the ministry’s spokesperson Mohammad Al-Zyoud said new applications for foreign worker permits will not be accepted until further notice. He added that recruitment will only resume if the study confirms a genuine need for foreign workers in the market.

Why now? This decision follows growing concerns over labor market balance and compliance with regulations. In addition, the ministry wants to carefully assess actual workforce needs before reopening recruitment.

While the suspension remains in effect, inspection campaigns will continue nationwide. These efforts involve the Ministry of Interior and Public Security Directorate to address violations related to unauthorized foreign labor.

The inspections will focus on verifying that foreign workers currently employed under official permits are indeed working for the entities that sponsored their recruitment. Furthermore, the ministry emphasized that legal measures will be taken against employers who violate recruitment regulations. These penalties may include suspending recruitment privileges, banning foreign labor hiring, and denying permit renewals.

Bottom line: Jordan’s move reflects broader regional trends aiming to regulate foreign labor while protecting local job markets. Businesses must ensure strict compliance or risk sanctions. 

For companies employing foreign workers, the suspension signals increased regulatory oversight. The ministry has emphasized strict enforcement of recruitment procedures.