Jordanians strike to protest income tax bill

By Laith al-Juneidi

AMMAN (AA) - Jordanians staged a general strike on Wednesday in protest of a proposed income tax bill.

The two-hour strike was called by trade unions in Jordan after the government last week approved an amended version of the bill, which calls for taxing annual incomes of 8,000 Jordanian dinars (roughly $5,675) or more.

According to an Anadolu Agency reporter in Amman, scores of people have suspended their work in support of the strike.

Last week, a meeting between the Council of Jordanian Trade Unions and Prime Minister Hani Al-Mulki failed to reach a compromise.

The Jordanian parliament in coming days is expected to discuss the income tax bill.