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AMMAN — The Income and Sales Tax Department has launched an electronic service enabling citizens to calculate the income tax they will incur according to the amendments to the income tax draft law, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The service gives each citizen the opportunity to calculate the tax they will incur monthly or annually by inserting their total annual income or that of the household’s breadwinner.

The e-service aims at clarifying the financial impact the amended draft law will have on every citizen in the public and private sector, according to the department, which stressed that the link is “indicative” and “illustrative”.

The Income and Sales Tax Department said they welcome any inquiry about the draft law, which can be directed to http://www.istd.gov.jo/Arabic/news/TaxCalculate.aspx.

AMMAN — Jordan’s farmers today join professional associations’ nationwide strike, by stopping the supply of produce, meat and poultry to the local markets, the Jordan Farmers Union (JFU) said.

The central markets of fruits and vegetables in Amman and other governorates will not receive trucks laden with fruits and vegetables, while butcheries and superstores will not be supplied with fresh meat and poultry, as farmers strike against the new Income Tax Law, JFU Director General Mahmoud Oran said on Tuesday.

The Kingdom’s professional associations will go on strike to protest the law following a call by the Professional Associations Council on Saturday.

Agricultural associations, unions and societies unanimously rejected the proposed new version of the Income Tax Law, and warned earlier this month that the sector will take escalatory measures if the law in its proposed version is endorsed.

Sector leaders denounced taxing the agriculture sector under the new version of the law, which indicates that the farmers will have to pay taxes to the government whether they make profits or losses, highlighting that the new draft law did not identify limitations on losses or profits for the agriculture sector.

“Consumers will have to bear with us as we protest against this unjust new law,” Oran told The Jordan Times, stressing that the government has been passing a set of new laws and regulations over the past two years that “ultimately seek to eliminate the agricultural sector; both cultivation and animal production as the government is obeying the instructions of donor agencies”.

The agriculture sector has been in a wreck since the Syrian crisis started in 2011, when the country lost its main portal to the European markets, Oran said, adding that the government in 2016 stopped the recruitment of new guest workers and raised their fees from JD120 to JD500.

“Earlier this year, the government taxed the agricultural production’s inputs and, now, it is planning to tax farmers who not only have no income, but most of whom are also referred to the judiciary for prosecution for being unable to pay their debts,” Oran claimed, highlighting “time after time, the government takes unilateral decisions that affect the core of the sector without consulting with sector representatives or even taking into consideration agro-economics.” 

The government stressed that the draft law aims to realise “social justice and equality” and imposes deterrent penalties on perpetrators of tax evasion. It said that the law, which broadens the taxpayers’ base, is a “corrective piece of legislation” that would realise tax justice, fight evasion and apply the principle of vertical equity of tax payment.

But research on the draft income tax law carried out by the Centre for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan and released earlier this week, said that the proposed new version of the Income Tax Law needs to be accompanied by a reduction in the sales tax.

The research detailed several recommendations and alternatives, including that the agriculture sector must remain exempted as is in the current law.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF), on Tuesday attended a medical evacuation drill, dubbed " Knights of Healing ", which was implemented by JAF’s Royal Medical Services (RMS).

The exercise aimed at examining the preparedness level of the medical plan, assessing the followed procedures in evacuating injuries and executing medical and administrative evacuation under circumstances that simulate real scenarios, according to a Royal Court statement.

Arriving at the drill location, the Supreme Commander was received by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat, RMS Director Maj. Gen. Muin Habashneh and several senior officers.

The drill included a hypothetical attack on a border village, which resulted in many injuries. The village is adjacent to a military unit where battalion members rushed into area and administered first aid.

His Majesty watched the evacuation process between the battalion location and the ambulance station at the platoon, where, at this this stage, the process included assessing and sorting out injuries, taking necessary measures before identifying the health condition of each case and transferring them to hospital. 

The King and attendees observed transferring injured people to the DRASH (Deployable Rapid Assembly Shelter) station, which was installed to service recently with a capacity of 36 beds and contains two operation rooms, an ICU, a severe case section and an evacuation department. 

The drill also included transferring injuries to the Special Field Hospital / 6, which went into service three years ago as a present from the Supreme Commander to RMS.

The hospital contains 12 modern departments that are supplied with up-to-date equipment and has the capacity of 50 beds, in addition to having emergency, ICU, X-ray, laboratories and dentistry sections, along with water desalination and medical oxygen generating stations and four power generators. 

His Majesty also observed procedures followed in case of a chemical attack on certain locations, where RMS personnel carried out a practical application to clean injuries from this attack at a station specialised in collective chemical purification. 

Habashneh delivered a speech before the drill, saying that the exercise highlights part of the skills mastered by RMS in medical evacuation, in addition to the means and approaches used to deal with such emergencies and injuries.

He added that RMS, over years, have always dealt with similar events in the real life, the most recent of which is receiving Gazans and offering them necessary medical services. 

At the end of the drill, King Abdullah toured the Special Field Hospital / 6 and listened to a briefing by Field Medicine Director Brig. Gen. Salem Zawahreh on the potential of this hospital and its sections, facilities and medical services it presents to patients and wounded people. 

AMMAN — The government seems to be fighting an unexpectedly fierce battle to defend the income tax bill, after sector leaders joined forces to down it even before lawmakers start debating it.

An official has told The Jordan Times that the government would use all its power to get the draft law enacted as referred from Cabinet to the Lower House, while critics, led by the Professional Associations Council, plan a strike today (see related stories on page 3). 

Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh said legislators will not accept to fall any kind of pressures. On Tuesday, he told the Jordan News Agency, Petra, that the government's draft version of the income tax law is not binding for the House, which “will deal with the draft law in a way that meets citizens' needs and serves their interests”. 

He stressed that the referral of the draft law to the House does not mean "surrendering to the government's version of the law".

The strike organisers announced on Tuesday that members of 33 associations and unions are taking part in the strike against the proposed income tax law.

The main professional associations — including those of doctors, engineers, journalists, teachers, lawyers and pharmacists — issued instructions to their members for the work stoppage depending on the nature of the profession.

The Jordan Medical Association (JMA) has called on all its members to observe a work stoppage all day Wednesday, and to only “treat emergency cases”.

Teachers will also join the strike all over the Kingdom, but parents were urged to send their children to schools for the final exams.

Pharmacists were also urged by their association to observe a strike from 9am to 2pm.

The planned strike will be followed by a main gathering at the Professional Associations Compound in Shmeisani, Amman. 

"We reject the draft law and want to deliver a message in a civilised manner," a unionist stated.

Jordan’s farmers, who have been protesting for weeks, will join professional associations’ nationwide strike by stopping the supply of produce, meat and poultry to the local markets, the Jordan Farmers Union (JFU) said in a statement made available to the Jordan Times.

The central markets of fruit and vegetables in Amman and other governorates will not receive trucks laden with fruit and vegetables, while meat stores and supermarkets will not be supplied with fresh meat and poultry, as farmers strike against the new income tax law, JFU Director General Mahmoud Oran said on Tuesday.

Social media accounts were fraught with messages urging people to help make the strike a success, calling on citizens to also refrain from buying fuel and other commodities to pressure the government into caving in to the demands of the strike leaders.

AMMAN — Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh on Tuesday said that the government’s draft version of the Income Tax Law is non-binding for the House, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Tarawneh stressed that the House will deal with the draft law in consideration of citizens’ needs and aspirations, reiterating that the referral of the draft law to the House does not mean “surrendering to the government’s version of the law”.

In a statement carried by Petra, the speaker said that “the House sees the interests of economic sectors as the last fortress for employment, thus it refuses to allow any attempts by the International Monetary Fund to impose proposals that contradict understanding of the Jordanian economy and does not consider the challenges it goes through”.

“The government has been ensnared in dealing with consultants that recognise only figures, but not human beings, needs, capabilities and communities,” Tarawneh continued. 

He said that the MPs had “early on” warned the government against neglecting dialogue with all sectors.

Tarawneh stressed that the House with all of its committees and blocs are present to listen to all comments and suggestions to reach a consensual law that would serve the interests of the Jordanian state foremost, and one that protects the middle- and low-income tranches, as reiterated by His Majesty King Abdullah.

The house will hold expanded dialogues with all sectors and the first of them will be on Monday with the Jordan Chamber of Commerce, said Tarawneh.

The speaker asserted that the house will ensure the protection of the middle and low income groups, enhancing the confidence of investors and improving tax collection especially from evaders.

The MP underscored the importance of working the improvement of services, especially health, education and transport, and working on rationalising and controlling public expenditure.   

AMMAN — Doctors, journalists, teachers, lawyers, pharmacists and representatives of several other sectors are holding a strike today, in rejection of the income tax draft law.

The Jordan Medical Association (JMA) has called on all its members to hold a work stoppage all day on Wednesday and to “only treat emergency cases”.

The JMA members in the public and private hospitals were asked to leave their offices and gather in the medical facilities yards’ while doctors in outpatient clinics were required to postpone their appointments and close their clinics, Hisham Fitiani, a member of the JMA’s team to follow up on the association’s strike, told The Jordan Times.

“The association said all medical staff working in emergency rooms and operation rooms are excluded from taking part in the strike,” he stressed, noting that “all members of the association are obliged by law to take part in the strike and hold a work stoppage all Wednesday.”

Teachers will join the strike across the Kingdom, but parents should still send their children to schools for the final exams of the current scholastic semester, Jordan Teachers Association spokesperson Ahmad Hajaya told The Jordan Times on Tuesday.

“We will effectively take part in the strike, but this will not affect the students as, currently, there are final exams, so we want to assure parents that there will be no change in plans for exams. They should send their children for the exams...Our objective is not to harm students or the society but to deliver a strong message to the government that we are rejecting this law,” said Hajaya, in the name of the 140,000-member association.

“We reject the draft law and want to deliver a message in a civilised manner,” he stated.

Pharmacists will also take part in the strike, the Jordan Pharmacists Association said in a statement sent to the Jordan Times on Tuesday. The strike includes closing pharmacies from 9:00am until 2:00pm while workers are to hold a work stoppage during the same time. 

The association urged pharmacists to take part in the main gathering planned at the professional associations.

Meanwhile, the Jordanian Construction Contractors Association will rally the strike, according to a statement issued on Tuesday.

The Jordan Bar Association (JBA) said Tuesday its lawyers will hold a work stoppage in protest of the law.

“Lawyers are urged not to work on Wednesday in rejection of the income tax draft law, which will increase burden on all Jordanians,” the JBA said in a statement published on its website on Tuesday.

The Jordan Press Association on Tuesday issued instructions for its members on how to join the strike, noting that they are to hold a work stoppage from 10:00am until 3:00pm, with members in all media outlets urged to join the strike and cover its activities.

The Foodstuff Traders Association also urged its members to hold a strike from 9:00am until 2:00pm, while the ICT Association of Jordan int@j asked its members and workers in the sector to join the movement.

Members and representatives of more than 33 associations, unions and societies will take part in the strike on Wednesday including the Garment Traders Association and the Jordan Engineers Associations.

AMMAN — The Zakat Fund is planning to shift its beneficiaries’ assistance from sole cash and in-kind aid to wider and more sustainable support through rehabilitation and income-generating projects, an official announced on Tuesday.

“We are seeking to replace the monthly salaries of beneficiaries who are able to work with productive projects that contribute in fighting poverty and unemployment on the long run, as they create job opportunities, generate a consistent income, while stimulating economic growth,” Zakat Fund Director General Abed Smeirat told The Jordan Times, noting that the fund has already supported 60 projects in various governorates since the beginning of 2018.

“The Fund cooperates with researchers and experts to make feasibility studies on the project ideas, before providing a capital of JD2,500 to JD3,000 upon the approval of the project,” Zakat Fund Spokesperson Okashah Hani told The Jordan Times.

Mohammad Khleifat is one of the Fund’s beneficiaries, who became a proud business owner of an electric equipment shop in Karak Governorate under the new programme.

“Now I have a successful project with a stable income, and I am planning to further expand my project and hire more staff in the future,” he said.

Hani noted that some of the beneficiaries of the income-generating projects even became donors themselves. “The fund’s philosophy is not only to give to people, but also to help them become productive individuals who can give to others as well,” the spokesperson stated.

In addition to the project funding aspect, the Fund has provided 5,000 orphans and underprivileged families with an additional JD100 to their monthly salaries, on the occasion of Ramadan, according to the spokesperson.

“The board decided to substitute the JD50 monthly food vouchers with cash money, in addition to the distribution of an extra JD50, amounting to a total of JD100 per beneficiary,” Hani explained, noting that the total worth of donations reached JD500,000. 

Um Ayman, one of the fund’s beneficiaries, welcomed the substitution of the food voucher with cash money. “This is a great step as it will allow us to buy what we need according to our other priorities,” she said.

Smeirat also cited the fund’s programme “Sahm Al Gharimat” (funds allocated for indebted women) which aims to help release women who cannot afford to pay for their freedom. 

The seventh batch of the programme included 17 women and 28 male prisoners, according to the fund.

“This is the first time we included men in the programme,” Hani noted, adding that “the beneficiaries are included based on certain principles and criteria that the fund adopted in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and the Public Security Department so as to release the indebtors by Ramadan”.

The Fund will also host an Iftar banquet for some 250 to 300 orphans, under the patronage of the Awqaf Minister, as part of Ramadan’s activities, the director general said, stressing the fund’s keenness to deliver Zakat and donations to beneficiaries according to Sharia (Islamic law) standards.

AMMAN — The total remittances of Jordanians working abroad rose by 1.2 per cent by the end of April, hitting $1.2 billion, up from $1.185 billion registered during the same period of 2017, data released by the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) showed on Tuesday.

At a monthly level, CBJ preliminary data show that expatriate Jordanians' remittances in 2018's April alone went up by 2.3 per cent to $319 million, compared to $312 million in April, 2017, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The total remittances of Jordanians working abroad stood at $3.7 billion (some JD2.6 million) in 2017.

Jordanian expatriates’ remittances are one of the country’s major foreign currency inflows, alongside commodity and service exports, grants, loans and foreign aid.

Official figures estimate the number of Jordanian expatriates at around 750,000, the majority of whom lives in the Gulf states.

Over 300,000 Jordanian workers, mostly professionals and skilled labourers, are based in Saudi Arabia, followed by the UAE, with nearly 200,000 people.

Experts cite any rise in the volume of remittances as an indicator that the economy is on the right track and second, that Jordanian expat have confidence in national economy.

AMMAN — Zarqa police personnel have arrested three suspects, who have criminal records, for attacking a citizen and damaging his shop in Zarqa, the Public Security Department (PSD) said on Tuesday.

A PSD statement carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, said that Zarqa PSD and Criminal Investigation Department personnel investigated a video that went viral on social media, showing a group of people smashing a shop inside Zarqa camp.

Security personnel on Monday arrested the main suspect in the attack and started investigating him, while the other two suspects were located on Tuesday morning and arrested in a raid. Legal action will be taken against all the suspects, the statement added.

AMMAN — Royal Jordanian (RJ) has leased three aircraft for a limited period in response to the “remarkable” growth in demand on bookings during the peak season of Ramadan, which usually sees huge traffic to and from Jordan as well as growth in transit passenger numbers, an RJ statement said.

The three airplanes are wet leased, a common practice taken by global airlines to meet the need to increase their aircraft capacity whereby the lessor provides the aircraft and the crew. Two of the aircraft are A319 leased from the Pakistani Shaheen Air while the third plane is a Boeing 737-300 that RJ leased from the South African Star Air.

RJ President and CEO Stefan Pichler said: “We are keen to meet the high demand for travel on board RJ during this summer season, thus bringing more aircraft into our fleet, dedicated to serve short- to medium-haul routes along with RJ’s current airliners.

The three wet-leased aircraft, different in design and configuration, comply with the highest international service and technical standards.” He stressed that passengers on these aircraft will enjoy the same services RJ offers on its fleet.