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Ammon News - by Areej Abuqudairi/ Jordan Times

AMMAN — A man who set himself on fire outside the Ministry of Social Development last week, died on Wednesday, according to a statement issued by the ministry.

The 35-year-old orphan, identified by the ministry as A.R., set himself on fire in front of the ministry’s headquarters near the Interior Ministry Circle last Thursday afternoon after he was “denied entry” to speak with officials.

According to a statement issued by the ministry at the time, Social Development Minister Reem Abu Hassan was in the northern Governorate of Mafraq on a field visit with Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour when the incident happened.

The statement said A.R. was one of its beneficiaries.

“He has been benefiting from the ministry’s services since childhood. The ministry provided him with shelter as a child, contributed to his wedding expenses and now is paying him monthly cash assistance.”

A.R. died at Al Bashir Hospital, where had been receiving treatment for burns that affected more than 90 per cent of his body, the ministry said.

He was buried in Zarqa, where he had been living, according Raed Aghawt, an orphan activist.

Despite several attempts by The Jordan Times to contact the minister on Wednesday, she was not available for comment.

Shereen Mazen, programme manager at Labour Watch, said A.R.’s actions followed his “battle with unemployment and discrimination”.

“Orphans and people of unknown identity often face discrimination at work. Employers avoid hiring them due to the social stigma,” she told The Jordan Times in a telephone interview.

Growing up poor denies orphans and children of unknown identity’s chances for a decent education, and thus limits their work opportunities, according to Mazen.

“They leave care centres at the age of 18 and are often left on their own. Many do not have education, which makes it more difficult for them to find jobs in the first place,” she said.

The Ministry of Social Development estimates that there are 72,000 orphans in Jordan. Only 23,000 of them are categorised as needy and receive aid from the National Aid Fund.