Around 77,800 workers were employed in the garment-exporting sector in 2022. Migrant workers make up three-quarters of the workforce, primarily from South Asia. These workers, typically from Bangladesh (over 50% of migrant workers), India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Myanmar, work in Jordan for a contracted period of two to three years, which can be extended. Jordanian workers constitute the remaining 25% of the workforce. The majority of workers are women – nearly 75% of the production workforce – whereas the majority of management positions are held by men. Despite improvements in working conditions over the past 12 years in the garment sector, issues with migrant worker representation still persist. This is highlighted in this annual report.

The General Trade Union of Workers in Textiles, Garment & Clothing (referred to as the union) is the worker representation body for Jordan’s garment sector. The union is responsible for safeguarding and promoting the rights and interest of workers in the sector. This applies for both members and non-members of the union. Under Jordanian Labour Law, only one union is allowed to exist in each industry. addition, only Jordanians are allowed in union leadership positions per the Unified Trade Union Bylaw, while migrant workers make up three-quarters of all workers in the sector.

The union recently formalized a five-year strategy which focuses on equitable access to fair wages and a safe, healthy working environment for all workers. There are three main outcomes which contribute to this long-term objective: 1) Improve communication and engagement with garment workers, 2) Advance industrial relations in Jordan’s garment industry and 3) Strengthen the organization’s governance and organizational capacity. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were developed to measure the progress of this strategy.

The objective of this Terms of Reference is for the General Trade Union of Workers in Textile, Garment, and Clothing Industry to hire a Trade Union Organizer. The Trade Union Organizer will work collaboratively with workers from Sri Lanka and employers in the Jordanian garment sector to facilitate communication, closely interact with workers inside and outside their working environment, and promote social dialogue, under the supervision of the Trade Union.

The Trade Union organizers play a pivotal role in supporting the union's efforts to advocate for the rights and interests of workers within the garment sector of Jordan. As dedicated advocates, they assist in serving as the voice of the workers, with a particular emphasis on empowering and supporting migrant workers. Central to their mandate is the commitment to supporting the union in raising awareness among workers on various pertinent subjects, with a special focus on improving the quality of life for migrant workers. Additionally, they are tasked with aiding in the building of the capacity of workers' committees within factories, fostering an environment conducive to effective grievance resolution, and providing unwavering support to workers in addressing their concerns.  The duties and responsibilities for the Trade Union organizers are the following:

1. Workplace Cooperation
   • Support the trade union in fostering dialogue between worker representatives and management at the enterprise level.
   • Assist the trade union in promoting social dialogue with workers' management committees and advocate for gender equality at the factory level.
   • Aid the trade union in collecting, referring, and resolving migrant worker grievances.
   • Support the development of the capacity of migrant workers to represent their fellow workers within union structures at enterprise and industrial zone levels.
2. Communication and Training
   • Assist the trade union in arranging workshops/training on workplace communication, health and safety, roles & responsibilities, social dialogue, bargaining, and sexual harassment prevention.
   • Engage with workers outside of their working hours, visiting dorms, meeting on weekends, and holidays.
   • Help the union develop and distribute brochures, handouts, and document workshops, discussion points, and meeting minutes.
3. Information Material
   • Support the union in collecting accurate data on workers’ demographics, activities, and production workflow to maintain updated databases across platforms.
   • Perform any other tasks assigned by the employer relevant to the role of Trade Union Organizer.

• Knowledge in industrial relations and international labour standards.
• At least 5 years of experience working in labour rights advocacy, preferably within the textile, garment, and clothing industry. Solid experience in interacting with workers. Knowledge of labour laws and regulations pertaining to workers' rights and collective bargaining agreements.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders including workers, management, and union organizers.
• Fluency in both written and spoken Sinhala and English. Knowledge of Arabic language is an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as part of a team, with a commitment to promoting social justice and equality in the workplace.

The Trade Union Organizer will be employed under a contract in accordance with the provisions of the Jordanian Labour Law and related legislation. The position offers a monthly salary with employment terms and conditions aligned with the Jordanian Labour Law. The contract duration is 12 months, subject to renewal based on the availability of funds. Additionally, the package includes health insurance and an air ticket from Sri Lanka to Jordan at the beginning of the contract, and from Jordan to Sri Lanka at the end of the contract.

All applicants must send their CV and cover letter to: hrjtgcu@gmail.com The deadline to submit your application is June 20, 2024, at midnight (Jordan time). Only selected applicants will be contacted for a written test and interview.

The Trade Union Organizer is expected to reside in near one of the four industrial zones: Sahab, Al Hassan Industrial Zone, Dulayl, and Aqaba.