Jordan’s Cabinet submitted its resignation on Wednesday, official media reported, in a technical move before a government reshuffle expected within days.
The change was expected after the justice and interior ministers were sacked for attending a banquet at a restaurant without observing rules to stop the spread of Covid-19, itself a breach of emergency law.
Government newspaper Al Rai said the 31 ministers "put their resignation in the hands of [Prime Minister Bisher Al Khasawneh] in preparation for a ministerial alteration within days".
Mr Khasawneh, a former diplomat, was appointed in October as coronavirus deaths and infections in the country of 10 million people rose sharply. He is Jordan’s 14th prime minister in the past two decades.
Pro-government media said the reshuffle would cover seven to eight ministers, most prominent among them is Health Minister Nazir Obeidat.
Foreign Minister Ayman Al Safadi, a former aide to King Abdullah, and Finance Minister Mohamad Al Ississ, who has good ties with Mr Khasawneh, are expected to remain in their positions.
Mr Obeidat, a veteran doctor, drew the ire of others in the system by criticising the large number of people ignoring Covid-19 rules.
He consistently warned that Jordan was vulnerable to a surge in infections, which started a month ago and promoted the authorities to bring back curfews and raise penalties for not wearing masks in public.
The king on Sunday accepted the resignation of Justice Minister Bassam Al Talhouni and Interior Minister Samir Mubaidin.
The two ministers are among the most senior civilian officials in charge of enforcing coronavirus rules.
They were seen at a restaurant in Amman last week, sitting at a large banquet close to other guests, against safety rules that prevent diners from massing at one table.
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
