Why is Jordan preventing Gazan refugees from doing their jobs? 10 November 2016

The Jordanian government started implementing [an earlier] decision, which was issued by the Jordanian Ministry of Education, to prevent Gazan [and other non-Jordanian] teachers in Jordan from teaching in Jordanian schools … An informed Jordanian source at the Ministry of Education, who declined to be named, told Al-Monitor, “Before the start of the academic year in September, the ministry demanded that private educational institutions refrain from renewing employment contracts with non-Jordanian teachers, which amount to 800 teachers of Gazan origin. The decision is not limited to teachers. It also includes drivers, administrators, office boys and guards.” 

Jihan Ali, a Palestinian teacher in the Gaza refugee camp, spoke to Al-Monitor over the phone. She said, “[…] The Ministry of Labor refused to issue the permit, due to the decision to ban non-Jordanians from practicing the teaching profession. It has been weeks since I had a job, although I provide for my six orphan brothers and sisters.” 

Shaker al-Jawhari, a Jordanian political writer and editor-in-chief of Al-Mustaqbal al-Arabic news site, told Al-Monitor, “[…] A powerful current within the Jordanian authorities is demanding that Syrian refugees be accommodated in the kingdom, even though it is at the expense of Gazans.”