Sunday, the spokesman for the Ministry of Labor Mohammad Al-Zyoud said that 231 child labor cases have been registered in Jordan since the beginning of the year.

The ministry carried out approximately 7,087 inspections in different establishments and shops across the Kingdom to combat child labor.

He reiterated the need to abide by the relevant laws, most notably Article 78 of the Labor Law, which stipulates that children under 16 should not be employed.

He told Roya that those who violate the law could be fined between JD 300 and 500, which is not subject to reduction by the court.

He pointed out that there is an online platform through which anyone can report suspected child labor cases, which the ministry will follow up on in coordination with the Ministry of Education.

-High rates of poverty and unemployment-

The Director of the Phenix Center for Economics and Informatics Studies Ahmed Awad said that child labor rates have 'dramatically increased' over the past few years, due to the difficult living conditions.

He pointed out that the government 'bears part of the responsibility' as well as their families, especially since Jordan has witnessed a rise in poverty and unemployment rates over the past few years.

He noted that there has also been a decline in the education system.

The Coronavirus pandemic and the switch to distance learning have contributed to the increase in child labor cases, he explained.