His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday called for speeding up work on a strategy for Jordanian laborers in line with the National Agenda.



During a visit to the General Federation of the Labor Unions (GFTU), King Abdullah stressed the importance of enhancing the conditions and efficiency of workers to meet market needs.



The King told representatives of 17 unions that labor, unemployment and training are major components of the National Agenda, whose guidelines on political and socio-economic reform for the next 10 years are expected in September.



GFTU President Mazen Maaytah said the strategy, which is expected to be developed in three weeks, will recommend establishing a centre to educate workers on the latest technologies in their industries and the importance of joining labor unions.



Seeking to boost the skills of local workers and reduce the number of foreign laborers, the strategy will also suggest means to upgrade vocational training in the Kingdom, Maaytah added. Currently there are around 250,000 foreign laborers in the country, according to official figures.



King Abdullah yesterday said a partnership between the public and private sectors was needed to help vocational training centers overcome their financial and technical obstacles.



During the visit, the King donated a land to the GFTU to build a new headquarters. The federation's annual budget does not exceed JD200,000, according to official sources.
Maaytah said King Abdullah urged the private sector to preserve the rights of workers and compensate them and their families in cases of injuries and deaths.



Established in 1954, the GFTU represents 230,000 members and serves around 1,250,000 Jordanian workers in 17 different industries.



A recent Department of Statistics study estimated Jordan's unemployment rate during the first quarter of 2005 at 13.4 per cent. The study also found out that 12.3 per cent of men and 19.6 per cent of women are unemployed.



Several union leaders said local laborers seek to have health insurance after retirement and raise the JD85 monthly minimum wage.



Minister of Labor Bassem Salem, who accompanied the King during the visit, said his ministry will “work hand-in-hand” with the GFTU to reform the sector.