After public anger, Jordan PM cancels highly paid government posts

Jordan Prime Minister Omar Al-Razzaz yesterday cancelled newly announced positions in the Ministry of Justice following a wave of public anger.

The Ministry of Information said in a statement that Al-Razzaz ordered “the cessation of all new appointments in government institutions and departments including the appointments recently made in the Ministry of Justice.”

Al-Razzaz also ordered that “all appointments in government ministries and institutions must follow standards and salary regulations determined by the Civil Service Bureau and according to the applicants’ competencies.”

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Al-Razzaz’s decision came after official documents indicating that three justice ministry employees have recently been appointed with very high salaries went viral on social media.

According to the documents, two employees were assigned to the Social Media Channels Unit at a salary of 2,000 dinars per month (about $3,000) and a project coordinator with a monthly salary of 3,000 dinars ($4,200). The average monthly salary in Jordan is $637.

Jordan has witnessed widespread protests over the past months following government plans to introduce income taxes. Tensions rose after it was revealed that lawmakers had appointment relatives to key jobs. King Abdullah II intervened following the discovery and told officials to hire staff according to their competency and not family relations.