Kisbi 'to raise issue at next Cabinet meeting'
AMMAN -- Dozens of engineers working in the public sector gathered on Monday at the Ministry of Public Works and Housing to protest against the public sector salary restructuring plan, which they described as "unfair".
Yesterday's demonstration was the second the engineers have held since the plan went into effect at the start of the year, following a rally at the main gate of the Royal Court last month.
The Jordan Engineers Association (JEA) led the protest, with its president, Abdullah Obeidat, stating that the restructuring plan includes major reductions to the benefits of engineers working in the public sector.
The protesters chanted slogans denouncing the plan and demanding that the government review it to avoid the reduction in their benefits, including their professional allowances, and improve their pensions.
Under the plan, the engineers' professional allowances decrease from JD150 to JD115 per month, according to Obeidat, who delivered a speech at the sit-in warning that the reduction would imperil the future of the profession in the Kingdom.
According to protesters, thousands of engineers working in various government agencies will suffer from the plan, including those working in the Ministry of Public Works and Housing.
Obeidat said the engineers would continue to protest each week in different locations until authorities respond to their demands, including a sit-in next week at the Ministry of Higher Education and another the following week at the Ministry of Public Sector Development.
During yesterday's protest, Minister of Public Works and Housing Yahya Kisbi said he would discuss the engineers' demands at the next Cabinet meeting.
"I am an engineer before being a minister, so I will not accept any unfair treatment of my colleagues," he said.
"I will keep in contact with the JEA until we reach an agreement over this issue."
© Jordan Times 2012
