A two day strike which hit Jordan Telecom Group ended Tuesday after some 3,000 of its employees returned to work. The employees protested for higher wages and improved working conditions.
The strike was declared after talks between Jordan Telecom management representatives and the Trade Union of Public Utilities and Free Trade officials broke down on Sunday. According to press reports, the strike caused partial service disruptions in the kingdom and several branches of the company’s offices have been forced to close. Jordan Telecom said its loss on the first day amounted to some JD2 million (close to US$3 million).
The agreement was signed under the supervision of the Jordan’s Ministry of Labour, al Ghad newspaper has reported.
Before the strike started, Union representatives have accused Jordan Telecom, the majority of which is owned by France Telecom, of not paying employees adequate overtime payments for extra-contractual work.
According to the agreement which ended the strike, Jordan Telecom will pay the employees special compensations for extra hours, starting from the 41st hour. In addition, JT agreed to pay additional JD10 (US$14) bonus for next year, one time compensation of JD180 (US$250) for workers who earn less than JD 500 (US$700) per month and JD90 (US$125) for workers whose salary is higher than JD500 per month.
