(MENAFN- Jordan Times) The failure of employers to provide crèches for working mothers is the main reason why many women are not joining the labour market, the Ministry of Labour said on Sunday.
In a statement sent to The Jordan Times on Sunday the ministry added that the government has been active in issuing laws to help empower women and encourage them to join the workforce to contribute to the country's productivity.
But women's participation in the labour market remains below aspirations, standing at 14.9 per cent in 2010 compared with 64.8 per cent for men, according to the ministry.
"An important factor that drives women away from joining the labour sector, especially housewives, is the lack of crèches at the workplace," the statement said.
The ministry called on public and private sector employers to abide by Article 72 of the Labour Law, which stipulates that employers recruiting more than 20 employees should provide a space at the workplace where working mothers can leave their children under the age of four during working hours.
"The ministry earlier this month organised a campaign targeting employers and working women to raise their awareness on the importance of activating Article 72," the statement quoted Labour Ministry Secretary General Hamada Abu Najem as saying.
He stressed that women play an important role in the national economy, adding that providing a crèche at the workplace would reflect positively on their productivity.
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