Reasons behind Jordan’s three-day weekend proposal: Expert explains to Roya

• Jordan studies four-day workweek to ease congestion and cut costs, expert says.

Administrative development expert Ali Al-Hajajeh said there is a growing global trend toward reducing working days in government institutions, driven by rapid technological advancement and its increasing role in managing public services.

Speaking to Roya News, Al-Hajajeh explained that the automation of procedures has proven the inefficiency of requiring employees to be physically present at workplaces in a traditional, full-time manner. This has prompted the Jordanian government to study the possibility of reducing the official workweek from five days to four.

Read more: Jordan debates four-day workweek as calls grow for longer weekends

Reducing Financial Burdens and Traffic Congestion

Al-Hajajeh noted that the main objective of reducing working days is to ease traffic congestion across the Kingdom and lower financial burdens related to fuel consumption and transportation costs, in addition to reducing road accident rates.

He added that many government transactions are now completed via smartphones, eliminating the actual need for in-person visits for citizens who are proficient in using digital tools.

Cultural Considerations and the “Flexible Work” Option

Al-Hajajeh stressed that the success of such experiments in other countries does not necessarily guarantee immediate success in Jordan, due to differences in administrative culture.

He said that if the five-day workweek is maintained, alternative systems such as “flexible work” or shift-based schedules could be adopted. These options would ensure longer service hours, improve service quality for citizens, and reduce overcrowding.

Exemptions for Vital Sectors and Legal Framework

Regarding the details of the study, Al-Hajajeh explained that labor law sets specific weekly working hours that must be adhered to when implementing any changes.

He also pointed out that the current direction excludes the health and education sectors from a three-day weekend, given the sensitive nature of their work.

Comprehensive Study Required

Al-Hajajeh concluded by emphasizing that the advantages of a three-day weekend require a comprehensive review of the entire system, rather than addressing the issue through isolated or individual cases.