The Social Security Corporation (SSC), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the International Social Security Association (ISSA) jointly organized a two-day national workshop on 9 and 10 November in Amman under the title "Contribution Subsidy Schemes to Expand Social Security Coverage: Exploring Global Experiences."
Organized under the framework of the Estidama++ programme, implemented by the SSC with technical support from the ILO and funding from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Norway, the workshop aimed at fostering dialogue dialogue and knowledge exchange international experiences and mechanisms for contribution subsidies across different national contexts. It also highlighted the Jordanian experience through the Estidama++ programme as a national model for developing contribution subsidy mechanisms to include workers in the informal economy.
© Ala'a Sukhni/ ILO
Jadallah Al-Khalaila, Director General of the Social Security Corporation, opened the event by the highlighting the importance of extending social protection to all workers across the Kingdom.
"Expanding social security coverage to reach every worker in Jordan is one of SSC's priorities," said Al-Khalaila. "The Estidama++ programme, implemented by the SSC to provide contribution subsidies to vulnerable workers, is among the key initiatives adopted by the SSC to facilitate the registration of new groups to join the system, promote social justice, and strengthen economic stability."
Al-Khalaila highlighted the value of learning from other countries' experiences in supporting contributions, strengthening legislative and insurance frameworks, and developing a national model for contribution subsidies that provides social protection for vulnerable and marginalized groups. He also stressed the importance of building on the SSC's experience in implementing the Estidama++ programme.
He called on the participants to actively contribute ideas for developing new programmes that enhance social protection, drawing inspiration from successful international practices.
The event brought together speakers from Jordan, Tunisia, Brazil, Malaysia, the Philippines, Uruguay, and Turkey to share lessons learned and highlight how different subsidy models can help countries strengthen social protection systems and support transitions towards formal employment.
Amal Mowafy, ILO Employment Policy Specialist and Country Coordinator for Jordan, stated that: "The ILO continues to work closely with the SSC and different national institutions to strengthen social protection systems and ensure sustainable extension of coverage to all workers. Through its approach of exchange and dialogue, the ILO hopes that this workshop will contribute to the ongoing design and formulation of inclusive policies that enhance labour market participation, social protection systems, and promote economic empowerment."
Shea McClanahan, Technical Specialist in Social Security and Project Manager at ISSA, noted that "The ILO/ISSA joint review is based on a global survey and case studies and provides a comprehensive overview of contribution subsidy schemes in different countries. By showcasing diverse national experiences, it helps policymakers understand how design choices can make subsidies more effective and sustainable. The findings indicate that aligning subsidy design with clear policy goals and fiscal capacity can lead to more inclusive social protection and support broader policy objectives, including formalization."
© Ala'a Sukhni/ ILO
The workshop featured interactive sessions on policy design, financing models, implementation challenges, and lessons learned, along with group discussions to identify policy options suitable for Jordan's context. It also aimed to develop a roadmap for introducing contribution subsidy mechanisms within the national social security framework.
The workshop's outcomes will contribute to strengthening Jordan's social protection system, facilitating the transition of workers to the formal economy, and enhancing collaboration between the SSC, ILO, and ISSA to promote decent work and social protection for all.
The Estidama++ programme has been supporting around 46,000 workers including women and informal workers to register under social security by providing one-year contribution subsidies and incentives for inclusion.
