The Senate's Labor and Social Development Committee, chaired by Senator Issa Haider Murad, met today, Thursday, with the President of the General Union of Charitable Societies, Amer Khawaldeh, and members of the Union's administrative board representing the governorates, to review the programs and projects currently being offered.
Murad stated that the meeting was held to examine the Union's operations and the social services provided by its member societies, and to discuss the Union's pivotal role in achieving sustainable development in local communities. The meeting also aimed to discuss the programs and projects currently being offered and to identify the most significant challenges facing the Union and the charitable societies operating throughout the Kingdom.
Murad explained that the committee's objective was to review the Union's revenues and income sources, including donations and proceeds from the charitable lottery, and to assess how these funds cover the Union's operating expenses, the development projects it has completed, and their developmental impact.
He added that the meeting addressed the distribution of charitable lottery revenues, the feasibility and fairness of these distributions, and their coverage of the lottery's operating expenses. The meeting also explored the role of the National Committee for Supervising the Management of Charitable Lotteries and its governing legal framework. Furthermore, it examined the impact of financial challenges and burdens on associations in fulfilling their obligations and labor rights, and discussed legislative and regulatory frameworks to achieve a balance between the associations' continued operation and compliance with the law.
For his part, Al-Khawaldeh presented an overview of the Federation's key programs and projects, outlining the efforts undertaken and the target groups of associations. He also highlighted the main objectives and avenues for cooperation in unifying the efforts of charitable associations.
He emphasized the positive partnership between the Federation, the Ministry of Social Development, and other relevant entities in the Federation's projects and programs. He added that the Federation provides services to people with disabilities and promotes the development of local communities in the governorates.
The committee recommended the importance of inviting and including representatives from the General Union of Charitable Societies in the governorates at official meetings and participating in official visits. This would ensure their involvement in discussing issues related to the work of charitable societies, enhance institutional coordination, and achieve integrated roles that serve the public interest. The committee also recommended studying the possibility of designating the General Union of Charitable Societies as a supporting oversight body for the Ministry of Social Development, within a clear legal and regulatory framework. This would contribute to strengthening governance and transparency, improving oversight of the performance of charitable societies, ensuring sound resource management, and achieving the desired social goals.
The meeting was attended by members of the General Union's administrative board: Vice President of the Union and Head of the Amman Union, Attorney Dr. Barakat Barakat; Treasurer and Head of the Irbid Union, Salah Al-Zoubi; Secretary and Head of the Karak Union, Maan Al-Shamaileh; Head of the Zarqa Union, Muhammad Al-Majali; Head of the Jerash Union, Zaid Al-Zaboun; Head of the Ajloun Union, Malaki Bani Atta; Head of the Aqaba Union, Muawad Al-Muzna; Head of the Madaba Union, Mahmoud Al-Haisa; and the Union's Director General, Khalil Al-Qubaisi.