While Jordan was commended for being the first country in the region to impose a strict lockdown to confront and contain the coronavirus pandemic and with spectacular success — just over 800 cases and nine deaths compared to tens of thousands of cases in Israel, Iraq and Saudi Arabia — the government is now being criticized for taking its time to open up the economy and for failing to adopt measures to help ailing sectors. 

On June 6, almost 90% of businesses reopened and the curfew was limited to the early morning only. But the celebratory mood was short-lived as Jordanians ponder the huge economic impact of the lockdown and the government’s measures, under a Defense Law that was activated in March to mitigate the losses. 

There are two main questions that occupy people’s minds: Have the government’s measures exacerbated the economic blow and limited its role as a facilitator for a quick recovery? And when can Jordanians expect the lifting of the Defense Law under which the government was able to override laws and suspend articles in laws? 

One example of how the government used the Defense Law to absolve itself from responsibility toward both employers and employees is a May 31 decision by Prime Minister Omar Razzaz allowing employers to reduce wages of employees who are on duty by 30% for May and June, and by 50% for employees who are not required to work yet. For the latter, the employer does not require the approval of the Ministry of Labor or the employee.