Work permit leaflet

Work permits leaflet

At the Syrian Regional Conference held in London in February 2016, Jordan pledged to make 200,000 work permits available to Syrian refugees within three years. Since then, Jordan has established Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and has worked on encouraging companies to include at least 15% Syrian employees in their workforce, which will rise to 25% in the coming two years. In addition, Jordan has waived the work permit fees and also gave grace periods for refugees to apply for the work permits.

Work permits are available to Syrian workers in a number of sectors such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and food processing. Obtaining a work permit in the agriculture sector is relatively easy, but for other sectors there is a need for an employer, a contract and social security payments. UNHCR and International Labour Organization (ILO) are regularly organizing job fairs to keep the refugees informed of the available opportunities.

The labour market has been opened first to the urban refugees, however, in February 2017, the Ministry of Labour issued instructions to include refugees residing in the camps. Since then UNHCR has been working with Ministry of Labour to facilitate access to work permits in the camps through Zaatari Office for Employment (ZOE) and the entry and exit mechanism at Zaatari Camp Main Gate which are now fully operational with the support of Syrian Refugee Affairs Directorate and International Labour Organization.

UNHCR conducted a series of Awareness raising sessions in the 12 districts explaining the process of obtaining the work permits as well as the entry/exit mechanism for work permit holders. With the work permits the refugees will have a more sustainable income and will help them gain work experiences that will benefit them in the future. This will also have a positive impact on the host community. Important information on the work permits:

1- FIND A JOB

Agriculture: approach the Zaatari Office for Employment, a representative of the agriculture cooperative societies is present to support the applicants. The applicant can also approach Agriculture Cooperative Societies outside the camp. Other occupations: applicants need to find a job, this can be done through job matching services offered through Zaatari Office for Employment, or outside the camp by directly liaising with the employers that have job vacancies. UNHCR, International Labour Organization and other NGOs organize job fairs in the camp to keep the refugees informed.

2- GET A WORK PERMIT

To obtain a work permit you need a valid Ministry of Interior Service Card, two passport-sized photos and be 18 years old or above. Agriculture: Present these documents to the representative of the Agriculture Cooperative Societies at the Zaatari Office for Employment, you will be informed once your work permit is ready to be collected. Other occupations: your employer needs to apply for your free work permit at the nearest Labour Directorate Office, you will be informed once the work permit is ready.

3- REGISTER YOUR WORK PERMIT AT THE ZAATARI OFFICE FOR EMPLOYMENT

Once you have obtained a work permit, please approach the Zaatari Office for Employment to record it on the work permit data base. This step is very important as it will give you the right to use your work permit as a one month leave permit.

4- MOVEMENT IN AND OUT OF THE CAMP

Once your work permit is registered in the Zaatari Office for Employment, you can use it as a one month leave permit. It means you must report back to Zaatari not later than a month after you exist the camp using your work permit. In order to be valid, you must enter and exit the camp through the main gate, presenting your work permit together with your Ministry of Interior card. This procedure does not apply to other family members who do not have a work permit, they will need to follow the established leave permits system in the camp.