By Xinhua
Amman : More than 300 Jordanians staged a sit-in outside the Jordanian Professional Associations Complex during this weekend in protest against the government’s decision to lift fuel subsidies this year, the Jordan Times reported on Sunday.
Jordan Bar Association (JBA) President Saleh Armouti described the decision as political rather than economic, saying it was taken in response to requests by the International Monetary Fund.
He also claimed that the decision was in some way against the Jordanian Constitution which stipulates that the government is responsible for providing citizens with social security and stability.
The government’s intentions to lower taxes on companies to 25percent was against principles enshrined in the Constitution, he stressed, adding that it “should take measures to tackle financial and administrative corruption instead of increasing citizens’ tax burdens.”
The JBA president also urged the government to continue protecting essential items from price rises as well as to implement housing projects for underprivileged citizens who cannot afford to buy apartments because of increasing property prices.
In addition, Armouti charged that the proposed increase in public sector salaries, soon to be decided by the government, will not be enough.
“Prices in general will soar after fuel subsidies are lifted and the increase will not meet the minimum needs of citizens,” he was quoted as saying.
As to the government decision to exempt 13 essential commodities from sales tax and custom duties, Armouti said it should monitor the local markets to ensure retailers’ compliance with the decision.
The Jordanian government will lift all subsidies, including those for the petroleum, after the Parliament endorses the 2008draft budget, which may result in price hikes in the kingdom.
To help citizens cope with the ramifications of lifting subsidies, Jordanian government has removed customs duties and general tax on sales of 13 essential commodities, including milk, cheese, chick peas, vermicelli, lentils, coffee, tea, wheat, yellow corn, rice, corn flour, palm oil and sugar.
Also in December, the government announced that it will establish a social safety net and increase the salaries of civil servants, army personnel, school teachers, judges, public university faculties as well as pensioners to offset the subsequent rise in cost of living.