Social Dialogue in Jordan and the Role of the Union from a Gender and Migrant Perspective

Social dialogue mechanisms are essential for ensuring worker agency is fulfilled and needs are addressed. In Jordan's garment industry, the IFC-ILO Better Work Jordan program has sought to improve working conditions by supporting the national union and implementing bipartite committees - also referred to as PICCs or ULCs. Committees engage both workers and management in factory-level dialogue with the goal of building capacity, fostering a cooperative and growth-oriented workplace culture, and establishing channels to identify and address issues within the respective factory. Today, bipartite committees sit "in the very heart of the grievance mechanism for the union." Have bipartite committees delivered on their promises to workers, management, and the union? Findings from this mixed-methods analysis show that, while some committees have achieved positive results, factory management and the union can do more to ensure that committee members are able to effectively support fellow workers. In addition to providing committee members with increased resources to carry out their duties, this report highlighted the largest concerns facing workers and the knowledge gaps that may prevent worker needs from being fully met.