Labor Watch - The administration of Jordan Phosphate Mines Company suspended employment of the chief of Independent Trade Union of Workers in the Phosphate Sector Engineer Tayel Alkhamayseh, and turn him to an internal inquiry committee due to his trade union activities.
Commenting on the decision, the Independent Federation of Trade Unions said that the decision was in contrary to ILO convention No. 98 on application of principles of the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining ratified by Jordan. The Federation called upon the Jordanian Ministry of Labor to contact the Company to back down and cancel said decision, and to respect the rights of unionists’ choices. The Federation wrote letters to each of the Minister of Labor, the International Unions Federation, and the International Labor Organization explaining the case of Alkhamayseh and the reasons behind suspending his employment.
Member of the Executive Board of the Independent Trade Union of Workers in the Phosphate Sector Aahed Alqaisi emphasized that the Trade Union backs up its chief Alkhamayseh by all means in defense of the freedom of trade union activity which is guaranteed by the Constitution.
Executive Chief of the Phosphate Company Shafiq Alashqar said that the company would set up a special committee to investigate some behaviors and practices which threatened its interests and gains. Alashqar explained that the Company recognized the General Trade Union of Mines’ Workers and did not recognize the legality of the Independent Trade Union of Workers in the Phosphate.