Supporting the strategic objectives of the London Syria Conference 2016 (Phase II)

The project builds on on-going UK-funded activities being implemented by the ILO, aimed at improving the working conditions of Syrian refugees and Jordanians in the sectors of agriculture and construction.

Summary

As a direct follow-up to the London Syria Conference, the UK pledged to build economic opportunities and create job opportunities for Syrian refugees and vulnerable members of their host countries.

This project builds on previous ILO activities implemented in Jordan with the support of the UK Foreign commonwealth Office FCO, to help Jordanians and Syrian refugees gain better access to decent work in agriculture and construction-sectors.

The current project supports thousands of Syrians and vulnerable Jordanians gain access to better employment through Recognition of Prior Learning skills certification; access to work permits for Syrians and access to social security protection for members of both communities; career guidance and placement services; and financial and technical support for Syrian and Jordanian Joint Business Ventures (JBVs).

Through the support of the project, Jordanian trade unions began issuing non-employer-specific and non-position-specific work permits in the construction sector – the first of their kind to be issued to Syrian refugees in the Arab region. The development follows the signing of an agreement between the trade unions and the Ministry of Labour in June 2017, allowing The General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions (GFJTU) to issue 10,000 renewable one-year permits annually.

Objectives:

Support Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians access decent work in agriculture and construction. This will be done though:
  • Recognition of Prior Learning skills certification;
  • access to work permits for Syrians and access to social security protection for members of both communities;
  • career guidance and placement services; and
  • financial and technical support for Syrian and Jordanian Joint Business Ventures.

Main Activities

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
  • Creating and updating occupation analysis, competency standards, curriculum and training material for at least five targeted occupations in the agriculture and construction sector;
  • identifying Jordanian and Syrian candidates through cooperatives and placement agencies to receive one-month Recognition of Prior Learning training and formal certification from Jordan Centre of Accreditation and Quality Assurance (CAQA);
  • providing job matching and employment services for job-seekers and employers through the establishment of employment offices, the issuing of work permits for Syrian refugees in the sectors on construction and agriculture; and the on-going development of an E-counselling system aimed at facilitating job matching and work permit issuance; and
  • supporting cooperatives and placement agencies to undertake training sessions for employers on sector-specific Occupational Safety and Health (OSH).
Training programmes for cooperatives, placement agencies
  • Developing manual on the issuing of work permits and training cooperatives on the manual to facilitate the granting of work permits to Syrian workers;
  • organising awareness raising sessions by the placement agencies to empower workers to voice their concerns related to work in the two sectors;
  • establishing Guidance and Support Offices (GSOs) in Amman, Irbid and Mafraq, Karak and Zarqa, also to provide technical services on OSH and productivity;
  • building the capacity of trainers from GFTU and Jordan Construction Contractors Association (JCCA) to implement Recognition of Prior Learning training programme;
  • promoting social security among the Syrians and Jordanians and securing social security coverage for targeted beneficiaries.
Joint Business Ventures
  • Developing the concept and the process of the competition for the establishment of JBVs;
  • selecting JCCA to support Jordanians and Syrians in establishing JBVs;
  • conducting awareness and orientation sessions for applicants on the contest;
  • training the selected applicants on how to Generate Your Business Idea and Start Your Business;
  • granting winners of the competition financial and technical support; and
  • ensuring follow-up is provided by JCCA after end of project through its training center.

Outcomes/achievements:

  • A total of 1,400 beneficiaries provided with certification of skills through Recognition of Prior Learning;
  • a total of 2,443 work permits in construction issued by the GFJTU Guidance and Support Offices in Amman, Irbid, Mafraq, Karak and Zarqa;
  • a total of 1,310 work permits in agriculture and 196 work permits in construction issued by the Employment Service Centre inside Zaatari camp;
  • a total of 120 Syrian workers receive work injury coverage in the construction sector;
  • a total of 1,400 Syrian beneficiaries trained of OSH-related labour rights;
  • a total of 1,400 Syrian beneficiaries covered against work injuries in the agriculture sector;
  • fifty-three Jordanians and Syrians certified as OSH supervisors by CAQA; and
  • thirty Jordanians and Syrians trained on how to apply training methods and techniques in Recognition of Prior Learning training.