Jordan’s garment industry did not witness the pandemic’s worst impact, proving to be ‘relatively’ resilient in its adaptability to new trends, according to Better Work Jordan Annual Report 2021, which noted that the economic downturn in the country’s garment industry has only had a 15 per cent reduction in exports and a full rebound is expected by 2021 end.

The report presents findings and observations from Better Work Jordan’s interactions in the garment sector throughout 2020. Better Work Jordan (BWJ) is a partnership between the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

“…The sector has fared relatively well in comparison with Jordan’s other sectors,” the report said. Other garment industries saw major contractions of 30 to 50 per cent.

Despite the resilience, COVID-19 has exposed some weaknesses in the sector as well, the report said. “Some factories had severe violations, such as forced labour, inaccurate and late payment of wages and reductions in the number of meals provided to workers,” it said.

The 12th BWJ annual report also showed that the country’s garment exports in 2020 were valued at $1.6 billion and made up 22 per cent of all exports.