ILO Launches OSH Guide In Agriculture In Jordan

The International Labour Organization in collaboration with the Ministries of Labour and Agriculture, has launched the final Arabic version of the "Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health in the Agriculture Sector." The guide marks a key step toward enhancing the safety of agricultural workers and promoting decent work in one of Jordan's most at-risk industries.

The guide strengthens the protection of agricultural workers, reduces occupational accidents and diseases, and encourages a culture of safety. In doing so, it paves the way towards decent and dignified work for all agricultural workers in Jordan.

It aligns Jordanian legislation-which ensures safe and fair working conditions, regulates hours and leave, provides maternity protection and safeguards for juveniles, and obliges employers to guarantee safe workplaces, housing-with international OSH principles.

"The Ministry of Agriculture has focused its work on supporting farmers' skills and improving their living conditions, especially by choosing the safest and healthiest places as an important priority," said Mohammad Al-Hayari, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture. "Agricultural workers face many risks from unsafe chemical use and weather conditions. This guide is an important step in raising awareness and finding practical solutions to protect and ensure the sustainability of the agricultural sector."

The guide was developed through close cooperation with the two ministries and piloted as practical guidelines for trainers across Jordan, involving staff from the Ministry of Agriculture and representatives of the General Trade Union of Workers in Water, Agriculture and Food Industries (GTU-WAFI), agricultural cooperatives members and the Jordan Agricultural Engineers Association (JAEA).

Following several rounds of revisions, the technical content was endorsed by the technical teams of both ministries and ILO experts. After the launch, a new round of Training of Trainers on agricultural OSH will be delivered to inspectors from the Ministry of Labour in all governorates and partner institutions.

"This guide shows Jordan's strong commitment to safer and healthier workplaces, recognizing that protecting workers is not only a basic right but also essential for productivity and food security," said Iman Al-Abdallat, Acting Director of the Occupational Safety and Health Directorate at the Ministry of Labour. "We are stepping up efforts to improve laws and raise awareness so agricultural workers can enjoy better protection and fairer conditions."

The guide was developed by the ILO under the PROSPECTS Partnership, a global programme supported by the Government of the Netherlands and implemented in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the World Bank.

A workplan is also being developed to disseminate training at the field level, targeting farmers, cooperatives, and agricultural workers through ILO PROSPECTS.

"Through PROSPECTS, the Netherlands supports dignified living for Jordanians and refugees, including efforts to enhance decent job opportunities," said Pier de Vries, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Jordan. "With the adoption of the Occupational Safety and Health Guidelines, I am pleased that the Netherlands is making a difference in further advancing working conditions for agricultural workers, together with ILO and the ministries of Agriculture and Labour."

The guide equips inspectors, advisors, employers, and workers with practical instructions to identify risks and adopt preventive measures in agriculture. It addresses common hazards such as chemical exposure, unsafe machinery, harsh weather, and long working hours. It also promotes protective equipment, safe practices, adequate housing, and safeguards for women and youth under national law.

"Ensuring the safety and health of agricultural workers is a fundamental aspect of decent work and sustainable development," said Amal Mowafy, ILO Country Coordinator in Jordan. "This guide offers comprehensive, practical guidance for employers, inspectors, and workers to identify and prevent risks, reduce accidents and occupational diseases, and comply with national and international OSH standards. Its ultimate aim is to support the creation of dignified, secure, and productive workplaces across Jordan's agricultural sector."

Globally, nearly three million workers die every year due to work-related accidents and diseases according to ILO estimates. One-in-three fatal occupational injuries worldwide occur among agricultural workers. The toll highlights the persistent challenges in safeguarding the health and safety of workers, globally . Workplace accidents and occupational diseases cost the economy 4% of GDP annually.