Speaker invites PM, strike leaders to discuss tax bill

AMMAN — Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh invited the Prime Minister Hani Mulki and President of the Professional Associations Council Ali Obous and council members to meet on Saturday at the House of Representatives over the controversial income tax draft law.

Tarawneh said in a statement cited by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, that the invitation is meant to “give preference to the language of dialogue over various national issues, especially legislative matters”. 

Tarawneh also pointed out that the amendments to the tax law are now in the hands of lawmakers and it is important that all stakeholders talk to each other to reach common ground that serve the interests of Jordanians in the first place.

The Speaker added that the House is determined to examine the amendments to the law and would not accept the changes proposed by the government as they are, especially those affecting the middle- and low-income classes. However, the leading legislator acknowledged the need to toughen penalties against tax evaders, which is the other aspect the government draft has focused on.

In reference to the strike and rallies called for and led by the professional associations and trade unions a day earlier, Tarawneh said that the protesters and their leaders “demonstrated a great patriotic sense and a high degree of national responsibility”, stressing that their demands will be top priorities for the House when it starts debating the bill as the upcoming extraordinary session of Parliament.