Guide to Political Life in Jordan

Written by The Jordan Times Friday, 20 April 2012 15:36

A joint Senate panel comprising members of its legal and financial committees on Thursday rejected the Lower House’s amendments to the Civil Retirement Law for a second time, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During a session headed by Senator Hisham Tal, the panel approved the Upper House’s amendments to the legislation, under which only lawmakers with at least six years of civil service and four years as parliamentarians are entitled to lifetime pensions, Petra said.

Last week, MPs rejected the Senate’s amendments to the legislation, insisting on giving all Parliament members pensions for life regardless of the duration of their service.

Under the previous government’s amendments, members of both Houses were not to be given lifetime pensions, but the House sought to reinstate the 1999 amendments to the 1959 legislation, which granted MPs and senators pensions for life.

If the Senate stands firm on its opinion, Constitution stipulates that a joint session of both Houses be held to make a final decision on the matter in dispute.

Article 92 of the Constitution states: “Should either House twice reject any draft law and the other accept it, whether or not amended, both the Senate and the Chamber shall hold a joint meeting under the chairmanship of the speaker of the Senate to discuss the matters in dispute.

Acceptance of the draft law shall be conditional upon the passing of a resolution by a two-thirds majority of the members of both Houses present.