Jordan Launches National Equal Pay Campaign to Tackle Gender Wage Gap

On International Equal Pay Day, the International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW) and under the umbrella of the National Committee for Pay Equity (NCPE), launched a nationwide campaign to close the gender pay gap and reinforce the principles of justice and fairness in the workplace.

The campaign seeks to raise awareness of wage inequality, highlight ongoing challenges faced by women in Jordan’s labour market, and mobilize employers, workers, and institutions to adopt fair, gender-neutral pay practices.

Persistent Gaps Despite Progress

While Jordan has made progress in recent years through reforms in legislation and institutional frameworks, gender-based pay disparities persist, particularly in sectors with high female participation such as education, healthcare, and services.

The campaign emphasizes the importance of equal pay for work of equal value in accordance with national labour laws, international labour standards, and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Amal Mowafy, ILO Country Coordinator in Jordan, said that objective and gender-neutral job evaluations are critical to ensuring fairness:

“On International Equal Pay Day, we highlight the critical importance of evaluating jobs in an objective and gender-neutral manner to achieve equal pay between women and men. Wages must reflect qualifications, responsibilities, effort, and conditions, not gender.”

Mowafy noted that ILO studies demonstrate how pay equity is not only a social justice issue but also an economic growth driver. The Global Wage Report 2024–2025 shows that narrowing gender pay gaps could significantly reduce poverty, while another ILO study found that reducing gender participation gaps by 25% by 2025 could increase global GDP by 3.9%.

Jordan’s Performance in Global Indices

Maha Ali, Secretary-General of the JNCW, pointed out that Jordan ranked 122nd out of 148 countries in the 2025 Global Gender Gap Index, an improvement of one place from the previous year. At the regional level, Jordan placed fourth among 14 countries, and ranked 25th globally in the Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value Index.

“These results reflect the importance of national policies and legislation in promoting workers’ rights and ensuring equal opportunities. We look forward to the continued work of the NCPE toward building a fairer, more inclusive labour market,” Ali said.

Collective Action and Labour Reforms

The NCPE, established in 2011 and co-chaired by the Ministry of Labour and the JNCW with ILO support, has been central to promoting equity in pay and workplace opportunities.

Among its key achievements is the Unified Electronic Contract Platform, launched in 2024 for private school and kindergarten workers. Supported by the ILO, this digital tool ensures transparency, wage protection, and stability for employees in education—a sector where women form the majority of the workforce.

The General Union of Workers in Private Education welcomed the platform, noting that it was formalized under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that introduced a more secure and transparent way of documenting employment contracts.

Abdul Hamid Dugan, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Labour, described the initiative as part of Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision:

“This milestone reflects a national partnership built on justice and fairness in pay, safeguarding rights, and supporting social protection.”

A Broader Push for Equality

The campaign coincides with preparations for the 20th meeting of the NCPE, which also marks the 15th anniversary of the Committee’s establishment. The meeting will be held under the patronage of HRH Princess Basma bint Talal, President of the JNCW since 1992, and will bring together government, employers, trade unions, and civil society partners to review progress and set a 2026 action plan.

Reem Aslan, ILO Decent Work for Women Programme Manager, reminded stakeholders that pay equality is a legal and moral obligation:

“Work of equal value deserves equal pay everywhere, without exception. International labour standards enshrine this right, but greater effort is needed to make it a reality.”

Toward Inclusive Growth

The campaign is organized within the framework of the Equality@Project, led by the ILO’s Decent Work for Women Programme in Jordan in partnership with the Government of Norway.

With women’s labour participation in Jordan among the lowest globally, closing the pay gap is seen as essential not only for social justice but also for economic growth and resilience. Advocates argue that ensuring women are paid fairly will boost household incomes, reduce dependency, and unlock Jordan’s full economic potential.

As Jordan intensifies its efforts, the campaign underscores a simple but powerful message: equal pay is both a right and a necessity for sustainable development.