ILO workshop in Jordan advances social protection modelling for labour reforms

The workshop forms part of ongoing efforts to support Jordan’s transition to a more inclusive, coherent, and evidence-driven social protection framework, in line with national reform priorities.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) convened a one-day technical workshop in Jordan, bringing together key actors from the social protection sector, including government officials, national institutions, and independent experts. The event showcased new findings from the ILO’s Labour Supply Microsimulation Model for Jordan, a tool designed to inform policy reforms by analysing how social protection systems interact with labour market behaviour.

The workshop forms part of ongoing efforts to support Jordan’s transition to a more inclusive, coherent, and evidence-driven social protection framework, in line with national reform priorities.

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How Social Protection Influences Labour Market Decisions

The microsimulation model presented at the workshop examines how:

• Social protection benefits influence decisions to enter the labour market

• Workers transition between informal and formal employment

• Household characteristics shape overall labour supply dynamics

• Policy incentives affect employers’ and workers’ choices

By quantifying these dynamics, the analysis helps Jordanian policymakers evaluate the effects of social protection design on formalization, labour force participation, and productivity.

ILO Social Protection Officer Rana Al-Ansari emphasized the importance of the collaboration:“This workshop builds on the discussion around modelling labour supply incentives and their role in expanding social protection coverage and promoting formal employment, in support of the Government’s efforts to facilitate the transition from the informal to the formal economy.”

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Understanding Barriers to Women’s Participation

Participants highlighted persistent obstacles that lead to low female labour force participation in Jordan, including:

• Heavy unpaid care responsibilities

• Limited access to quality, secure jobs

• Higher probability of entering informal work

• Gaps in access to childcare and flexible employment opportunities

Discussions stressed the need for aligned and coherent policies across labour markets, social protection, and taxation to provide consistent incentives for both workers and employers.

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Strengthening Policy Coherence and Evidence-Based Planning

The workshop concluded with a dialogue on how advanced modelling tools such as the microsimulation model can support Jordan’s National Social Protection Strategy 2025–2033. These tools help policymakers understand trade-offs, evaluate reform scenarios, and design programmes that enhance participation and formalization.

The ILO will continue working with Jordanian partners to:

• Refine the modelling framework

• Tailor policy simulations to national priorities

• Explore options that promote productivity, inclusion, and formal employment

• Support the expansion of social protection systems

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Part of the Estidama++ Programme

This workshop is part of the ILO’s Estidama++ programme, a multi-donor initiative supported by Norway, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Estidama++:

• Supports the expansion of social protection through contribution subsidies

• Strengthens evidence-based policy analysis

• Promotes reforms that enhance economic resilience, reduce informality, and drive inclusive growth

Through sustained collaboration and analytical tools, the ILO and national partners aim to build a stronger, more equitable labour market in Jordan.