Amman, September 14 (Petra) The Cabinet convened on Sunday and approved several bills and regulations aimed at modernising public administration, restoring military service and improving essential services.

Military service law amendment approved The Cabinet approved a bill amending the 2025 Military Service and Reserve Service Law, which will be forwarded to the House of Representatives in accordance with constitutional procedures.

This amendment completes the legislative framework required to reactivate the Military Service Programme, set to launch in February 2026, following an earlier announcement by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II.

The draft law outlines comprises implementing and deferring military service, training programmes to be offered by the Jordan Armed Forces, recognition of training as part of university study requirements and removal of previous employment preferences for military service graduates in public and private sectors.

Data protection and administrative reforms The Council of Ministers approved the rationale for the 2025 Draft Regulation on the Personal Data Protection Unit, in accordance with Article 24 of the Personal Data Protection Law No. 24 of 2023.

The regulation defines the unit’s responsibilities and oversight mechanisms, establishes procedures for handling data breach complaints and ensures compliance with data protection standards across sectors.

The Cabinet approved amendments to the Administrative Organisation Bylaw of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply (2025) to establish dedicated units for human resources and data privacy, align with the Economic Modernisation Vision, rename the "Directorate of Trade" to the "Directorate of Domestic Trade Development" to better reflect its functions and restructure responsibilities and titles of Assistant Secretary-Generals for improved oversight.

Hajj Fund reorganisation The Council approved amendments to the Administrative Organisation Bylaw of the Hajj Fund (2025) to improve performance, reduce redundancies and clarify job roles.

The draft aims to align administrative structure with efficiency goals and spending rationalisation policies.

Support for agriculture The Cabinet approved amendments to the 2025 Bylaw on Leasing Agricultural Units in the Jordan Valley by expanding eligibility for leasing land, supporting emerging agricultural projects and larger investments, standardising leasing regulations across all regions, including Wadi Araba and granting the Jordan Valley Authority’s Board the power to approve exemptions in special cases, under clear guidelines.

The changes aim to promote agricultural and economic development while enhancing the planning and oversight role of the Authority.

Regulation of electoral campaigning To improve urban aesthetics and safety, the Council approved a Draft Regulation on Electoral Campaigning within Greater Amman Municipality (2025).

The regulation defines designated campaign areas, prohibits the obstruction of traffic signals and pedestrian crossings, protects public infrastructure such as electricity poles and trees and ensures visual order during elections.

Infrastructure projects in refugee-hosting areas The Cabinet approved an agreement to fund projects in water, sanitation and public safety in Syrian refugee-hosting areas, particularly Azraq.

The initiative aims to ppgrade water supply and sewage networks, protect groundwater and improve environmental conditions in line with the Water Sector Strategic Plan 2023–2040 and the Economic Modernisation Plan.

//Petra// AK