Aloush questions why Jordan issues work permits to refugees, instead of letting them return to Syria

Jordan

Published: 2018-12-05 11:47

Last Updated: 2024-03-29 07:05


Aloush questions why Jordan issues work permits to refugees, instead of letting them return to Syria
Aloush questions why Jordan issues work permits to refugees, instead of letting them return to Syria

Ayman Aloush, Charge d’Affaires of the Syrian Embassy in Jordan, said that the new work facilities by the Jordanian government for Syrian refugees in Jordan raise many questions about the Kingdom's intention of ending the Syrian refugees file.

In a statement to the press on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, Aloush said that Jordan's continued refusal to prevent refugees living in the camps from returning to Syria, underscores the pressure exerted on Amman to "disrupt the return of refugees.”

He said that ten families were allowed to leave the camps, stressing that if the gates of the camps are open, most of the refugees will return to Syria, as most of them are from southern Syria, areas which have been liberated by the Syrian army and have become safe to return to.

Aloush spoke of an increase in the number of daily applications to return to Syria, ranging from 500 to 700, not to mention those returning without the need of visiting the Syrian embassy.

Aloush questioned the Jordanian government’s reason for offering Syrian refugees work permits in various sectors after seven years of crisis and prevention of work.

The Jordanian Ministry of Labor had issued work arrangements for Syrian refugees, published in the latest issue of the Official Gazette, and was subsequently introduced to enable Syrians to work outside the camps, in all sectors.

The Jordanian government also agreed to exempt Syrian workers from permit fees, which show duration of the exemption, the date of beginning and termination, and any categories included therein.

According to data from the Russian Defense Ministry, about 28 thousand Syrians have returned to their homeland through the Jabir-Nasib border crossing since July 2018.

On more than one occasion, Jordan reiterated its support for the voluntary return of Syrian refugees to their homeland and to end the crisis according to a political path acceptable to all Syrians.