Jordan considering new labour laws for Syrian refugees

Jordan is looking allowing Syrian refugees to work in sectors typically filled by migrant workers, a minister has said.

Imad Fakhoury, the planning minister, told the AP news agency that Jordan had reached "saturation point" with the number of Syrian refugees it had allowed into the country.

Jordan is considering "policies that will hopefully open up possibilities for Syrians in imported labour categories", he added. 

However, as aid from international donors dwindles, Jordan is looking at ways to feed the 630,000 Syrians who settled in the country, and this includes the possibility of allowing them to work in the country.

Unofficially, the number of Syrian refugees is expected to be much higher.

Jordan had asked for $3 billion support from international donors for this year, but expects to receive only about 30 percent.

"We are at the point where our resilience, our absorption capacity, the patience of the citizens, has been stretched to the limit," he said.

"I think it will be much more costly if the world does not support Jordan and then the world has to intervene later on to deal with the repercussions."

I think it will be much more costly if the world does not support Jordan. Imad Fakhoury, planning minister

Home and refuge

The impact of further cuts to aid could mean that more Syrians will risk their life crossing the Mediterranean to Europe in so-called "death boats", and a further proliferation in terrorism.

The vast majority of refugees live in Jordanian communities where they compete with Jordanians for housing and jobs. Many Jordanians have complained that the newcomers have pushed up rent, and brought down wages.

Jordan has struggled with high unemployment, while those in jobs have complained of low salaries.

Amman is often cited as being the most expensive city in the region.

However, migrants, particularly from Egypt, often work in construction and agriculture.

Fakhoury said about 120,000 Syrians, including those who came before 2011 work in Jordan, most without permits.

In the past, Jordan has been reluctant to formalise Syrian refugee labour. Fakhoury added that Jordanians will still have priority in work.