Amman, Sept. 22 (Petra) — Jordan has narrowed the gender wage gap to 7.3% across the public and private sectors, a marked improvement from 13.7% in 2009, according to the Department of Statistics’ 2023 Employment and Compensation Survey.
The results, released on International Equal Pay Day, show progress but also highlight persistent challenges. The private sector recorded the widest gap at 13.7% in 2023, compared to 8.5% in the public sector. Education and real estate posted the steepest disparities, nearly 29%, followed by manufacturing at 27.6%, all in favor of men.
Officials stressed that reducing pay inequality remains a national priority. “The wage gap continues to be one of the biggest barriers to women’s participation in the economy,” said National Commission for Women Secretary-General Eng. Maha Ali, pointing to women’s concentration in low-paying jobs, underrepresentation in leadership, and limited training opportunities.
The Department of Statistics noted that the steady decline since 2009 reflects gradual gains in pay equity, though gaps persist in average monthly wages between men and women. Ali added that the private sector gap declined slightly from 15.5% in 2015 to 14.1% in 2022, while the public sector remained nearly unchanged, with only a marginal rise of 0.01%.
Ali identified several factors fueling inequality: limited access to training and scholarships, difficulty balancing work with family responsibilities, lack of awareness of labor rights, and weak monitoring of equal pay provisions. Indirect discrimination, such as unequal bonuses and fieldwork assignments, deepens the divide, while stereotypes about women’s roles persist across sectors.
The Ministry of Labor has stepped up enforcement, with 2019 amendments to the Labor Law introducing explicit provisions for pay equity and penalties of up to 1,000 dinars for employers who discriminate. The law also empowered the Wage Authority to fast-track complaints, even after a worker leaves a job.
Spokesperson Mohammad Al-Zyoud said closing the gap is essential for social justice and economic growth. “Equal pay is not just a right, it’s a driver of productivity and a stronger labor market,” he said.
The ministry has also adopted internal bylaw models for private institutions banning gender-based wage discrimination, launched the digital Himaya platform for oversight, and enhanced inspection teams. In 2022, it piloted Logib, a digital tool to measure internal pay disparities, which may soon become a national benchmark under the Gender Equality Seal framework.
The Jordanian National Commission for Women has been active through its role in the Pay Equity Committee, established in 2011 with support from the International Labour Organization. Key achievements include the adoption of unified contracts and electronic wage transfers in private schools, studies into wage structures in the health sector, and awareness initiatives such as the “Aware” campaign and the “Know More!” platform to improve access to workplace rights information.
The Department of Statistics said that results for 2024 are expected in September 2026, given the rigorous data collection and verification process. Meanwhile, it is preparing 10 new studies on labor market issues, gender equality, and self-sufficiency, all aimed at supporting evidence-based reforms.
Officials emphasized that sustained reforms, including stronger laws, better oversight, and greater transparency, are vital to closing the gender wage gap. They stressed that pay equity is not only a matter of fairness but also a driver of women’s empowerment, labor market efficiency, and Jordan’s long-term economic growth.
//Petra// RZ
22/09/2025 12:16:17
