Abstract
The Estidama++ programme aims to expand social security coverage in Jordan, focusing on vulnerable groups such as female workers, non-Jordanian workers, and youth. Recognizing that the programme's sustainability and success rely on employer engagement, it has partnered with the ILO Inclusive Markets team in Geneva to use market system development approaches to explore and enhance business incentives for SMEs to extend social security schemes. This report examines the food processing and construction sectors in Jordan, analyzing how sector-specific constraints and opportunities shape SMEs' business decisions and workforce management, particularly regarding social security coverage. The findings highlight the need for more flexible or innovative social security arrangements, considering the nature of the sectors and SMEs' operations and overall value for money of social security coverage. The report identifies strategic entry points within the core value chains and supporting functions and regulations that could help address current needs and opportunities in these sectors by establishing conditional links with social security and labour enforcement.
