OSH Guidelines launched in Jordan to protect workers and promote decent work – International Labour Organization

Report on the Launch of Occupational Safety and Health Guidelines in Jordan’s Agriculture Sector: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction: Promoting Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)

A new initiative has been launched in Amman, Jordan, to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The “Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health in the Agriculture Sector” were introduced to provide practical tools for enhancing safety and promoting decent work conditions. This initiative, a collaboration between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Jordanian Ministries of Labour and Agriculture, directly addresses SDG Target 8.8: to protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers.

2.0 Strategic Objectives and Core SDG Contributions

The primary goal of the guidelines is to create a sustainable culture of safety within Jordan’s agricultural sector, a critical component of the national economy. The objectives are directly aligned with several SDGs:

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): To reduce the incidence of work-related accidents and occupational diseases among agricultural workers.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): To protect the agricultural workforce and ensure dignified, safe, and fair employment conditions.
• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): To support a healthy and productive agricultural workforce, thereby contributing to sustainable food production systems.

3.0 Legislative Alignment and Institutional Strengthening (SDG 16)

A key function of the guidelines is to harmonize Jordanian national legislation with international Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards, thereby strengthening national institutions in line with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). The guidelines reinforce legal frameworks concerning:

• Fair working conditions and hours
• Leave entitlements and maternity protection, supporting SDG 5 (Gender Equality)
• Safeguards for juvenile workers
• Employer responsibilities for providing safe workplaces and adequate housing

4.0 Implementation Framework: A Multi-Stakeholder Partnership (SDG 17)

The project exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), operating under the global PROSPECTS partnership, which is supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The PROSPECTS framework is designed to improve access to education, social protection, and decent work for host communities and forcibly displaced people, contributing to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

The implementation process followed a structured, collaborative model:

1. Development: Co-created by the ILO and the Ministries of Labour and Agriculture.
2. Validation: Tested through a “Training of Trainers” program involving ministry staff, inspectors, and representatives from the GTU-WAFI and the Jordan Agricultural Engineers Association.
3. Endorsement: The content was refined and formally endorsed by ministerial technical teams and ILO experts.
4. Rollout: A workplan is now being developed to institutionalize the guide and implement field-level training for farmers, cooperatives, and agricultural workers via Ministry of Agriculture extension services.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article primarily addresses issues related to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
     
     The article’s central theme is the promotion of “decent work for Jordan’s agricultural workforce.” It explicitly mentions the launch of guidelines to “boost safety, cut risks, and support decent work.” The initiative aims to create “safer farms and fairer work” by aligning Jordanian legislation with international standards on “fair conditions, working hours, leave, maternity protection,” and creating “safe workplaces.”
   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
     
     The focus on “Occupational Safety and Health” (OSH) directly connects to SDG 3. The article states that the guidelines aim to “protect agricultural workers, reduce accidents and diseases, and build a stronger safety culture.” This commitment to preventing work-related health issues and injuries supports the broader goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG target is clearly identified:

   • Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers.
     
     This target is the core focus of the initiative described. The article details the launch of “Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health in the Agriculture Sector” with the express purpose of protecting workers. It mentions bringing Jordanian legislation on “fair conditions, working hours, leave, maternity protection… and employer duties on safe workplaces” in line with international standards, which directly corresponds to the objective of Target 8.8. The effort to “build a stronger safety culture” and create “safer, more dignified work for everyone in the field” reinforces this connection.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article implies the use of indicators to measure progress, although it does not provide specific data:

   • Implied Indicator for Target 8.8 (related to official indicator 8.8.1: Frequency rates of fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries):
     
     The article’s stated goal is to “reduce accidents and diseases” in the agriculture sector. This directly implies that a key measure of success for this initiative would be the tracking and reduction of the frequency of occupational injuries and illnesses among agricultural workers. While the article doesn’t cite current statistics, the objective itself points to the use of this type of indicator to evaluate the effectiveness of the new guidelines and training programs. The implementation of the guidelines and the number of “farmers, cooperatives, and agricultural workers” trained are process indicators for achieving this outcome.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers.	Implied (related to Indicator 8.8.1): The reduction in the frequency of occupational “accidents and diseases” among agricultural workers.
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	The general goal of reducing work-related diseases and injuries.	The successful implementation of the “Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health” to create a “stronger safety culture.”

Source: ilo.org