organization more democratic. The GFJTU has been described as a "semi-governmental institution" due to being fully financed by the government and the Social Security Corporation. Membership in affiliate unions and therefore membership in the GFJTU is mandatory for thousands of Jordanian workers. In 2013, following the Arab Spring and waves of labor protests, nine unions got together to found the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Jordan (FITU-J) as an alternative to the official General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions. The General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions (GFJTU) and affiliate trade unions issued multiple statements declaring that the independent trade unions are illegal and illegitimate. Trade unions in Jordan There are some associations and syndicates in Jordan which are not recognized through the mechanisms laid out in Jordanian labor law, and are therefore not affiliated with the GFJTU and are not referred to as "Trade unions." There are over 16 professional associations in Jordan. These include: Jordanian Engineers Association Jordan Medical Association Jordan Bar Association Jordan Beekeeping Association Jordan Agricultural Engineers Association Jordan Dental Association Jordan Nurses and Midwives Council Jordan Press Association Jordan Geologists Association Jordan Pharmacist Association Economic & Social Association of Retired Servicemen & veterans (ESARSV) of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Jordan teachers syndicate Jordanian Writers Association Jordanian Plastic Artist Association (not to be confused for a professional association for plastic surgeon) Jordanian Construction Contractors Association Jordan Association of Certified Public Accountants These professional associations are not formally recognized as trade unions under Jordan Labor Law. The 17 trade unions affiliated with the GFJTU are the following: The General Union of Construction Workers The General Union of Petroleum and Chemicals Employees The General Trade Union of Municipality Employees The General Union of Private Education Employees The General Union of Public Services and Free Professions Employees The General Union of Health Services Employees The General Union of Railway Employees The General Union of Food Industry Employees The General Trade Union of Printing, Photography, and Paper Employees The General Trade Union of Textile Industry The General Trade Union of Electricity Employees The General Trade Union of the Employees of Banks, Insurance, and Auditing The General Trade Union of Mines and Mining Employees The General Trade Union of Commercial Stores Employees The General Trade Union of Ports and Clearance Employees The General Trade Union of Air Transport and Tourism Employees The General Trade Union of Land Transport Employees and Mechanics