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King Abdullah of Jordan inaugurates parliament session with a pledge to help Jordanians cope with global economic crisis.
King Abdullah of Jordan on Sunday (October 5) inaugurated the second session of the 15th parliament with a pledge to implement vigourous economic measures to cushion citizens from ramifications of the global economic crisis, including an increase to minimum wage and improved social safety net.
In his address to a joint session for senators and deputies, Abdullah conceded that the economic challenge is of a major concern to policy-makers in the cash-strapped kingdom.

"The economy still tops our priorities, especially its social dimension, due to the economic challenges that resulted from international rising prices. In spite of all the obstacles and challenges, Jordan is advancing on the right path, towards a comprehensive awakening that is the essence of our vision and its ultimate goal," said Abdullah.
The ceremonial gathering of members of the royal family and top Jordanian politicians is an annual occasion for the king to emphasize his vision of social, political and economic reform.
Abdullah, who appointed the government of Nader Dahabi nearly one year ago in the hope of carrying out an IMF guided economic reform policy, promised an increase to the current $145 US Dollars monthly wage of blue collar workers and inflation pegged increase to salaries of civil servants.
Abdullah promised fair distribution of the social aid system, following criticism about lack of social justice in handing out aid to cash to segments of the country, where 65% of the population are of Palestinian origin.

"The government will implement a social security net that guarantees the delivery of financial aid to those who need, and deserve such aid, to empower them and protect them economically," said Abdullah.
Jordan has no natural resources and heavily depends on foreign aid to keep its fragile economy going, with the US contributing more than half a billion US dollars annually to help its Middle Eastern alley cope with soaring prices and a similar figure from oil rich gulf states, the EU and Japan.
The government's decision at the start of 2008 to end the old policy of fuel subsidies has taken its toll on citizens as inflation hit a record of
5 percent.