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AMMAN — Professional Associations Council has decided to start a strike next Wednesday in protest of the new amendments to Income Tax Law.

Following a meeting on Saturday, head of the Council Ali Obous, who is also president of the Jordan Medical Association, said that, although the tax volume in Jordan is less than in other countries, the level of services offered to citizens is “a lot less” than it is supposed to be.

In the statement, a copy of which was sent to The Jordan Times, Obous added that the services Jordanians receive are less than the amount of tax they pay.

The government last week endorsed the 2018 amendments to Income Tax Law. Prime Minister Hani Mulki stressed that the dialogue over the key law would continue with lawmakers “to reach a just version that ensures success in combatting tax evasion and improve services offered to citizens”. 

Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani said that the bill is part of a comprehensive economic and financial reform drive, reflecting policies that the government adopts to achieve self-reliance and build a strong economy that “strengthens political positions”. 

In resorting again to citizens’ pockets, Obsous said that the government has proved inability to address economic woes and tax evasion. 

He also claimed that the government has drafted the new income Tax Law without consulting professional associations and civil society orgainsations.

AMMAN — The Jordan Strategy Forum (JSF) on Saturday stressed the need to review the new Income Tax Law to bridge any gap that would hinder the taxation system from supporting the national economy.

In a report issued on Saturday on the Income Tax Law 34 of 2014, the JSF said the review has to be based on the framework and principles of mandating reasons, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

It called for reaching a law that is "transparent, just and effective" to overcome the "difficult" financial situation and face the economic and social challenges in the Kingdom.

JSF's report included comments and recommendations on the law, which was recently approved by the government and has been referred to Parliament.

The law includes articles that will not lead to economic growth, attract investments or realise prosperity for citizens, the report stressed, highlighting, however, some "positive" articles such as the burden of tax proof, the exemption from goodwill and reconciliation tax and toughening penalties on tax evaders.

The report called for endorsing the law in a way that ensures the sustainability and stability of economic legislation, as recurrent changes would "harm the investment and economic environment".

In a previous study, the forum had stressed that all taxation legislations, including the income tax law, should seek stimulating the economic growth, mitigating inequality in income and opportunities, realising macroeconomic stability and ultimately improving the lives of citizens.

The most important mandating reason of the new law is achieving a financial solvency for the government through increasing tax revenues to be able to carry out its duties, the forum concluded. 

AMMAN — Health Minister Mahmoud Sheyyab on Friday stressed that hospitals must maintain preparedness under all circumstances, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The remark came during a visit to Jerash Hospital to check on services after a blackout that was accompanied by a failure of the hospital’s emergency power generator.

Sheyyab said that the blackout should be a “lesson” that has to be taken into account, noting that the blackout lasted for a short period but patients were harmed nonetheless. During the visit, he toured the hospital and checked on patients. He directed the concerned officials to ensure periodic maintenance to facilities.

AMMAN — Masar Al Khair initiative has distributed 30 bicycles to residents of Al Mazraah Valley in Karak Governorate to facilitate their movement in the district and to the surrounding areas, according to a statement from the organisers.

Held in cooperation with Darajati Society and Grand Hyatt Amman, the campaign also offered maintenance services for the residents’ bicycles.

The founder of the initiative, Mohammad Karakeh, said that the initiative seeks to help residents of remote areas to find an alternative means of transportation in their daily commutes, especially in light of the absence of a transportation system in the district and the long distance between these areas and the governorate’s central city.

Participant Ashjan Naori also distributed several first aid kits to the bicycles riders. Karaleh thanked the campaign’s supporters and participants for their efforts in achieving development in the underprivileged communities. 

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday attended the official national celebration marking Jordan’s 72nd Independence Day with Her Majesty Queen Rania and HRH Crown Prince Hussein, a Royal Court statement said.

The country won its full independence on May 25, 1946, following the end of the British mandate.

The national anthem was played upon the King’s arrival at Al Husseiniya Palace, where the ceremony was held, and the artillery fired a 21-gun salute, while His Majesty reviewed guards of honour who queued to salute him.

During the celebration, which was attended by several Royal family members and senior civil and military officials, Prime Minister Hani Mulki, Senate President Faisal Fayez, Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh and Judicial Council President Mohammad Ghazo, delivered speeches outlining the achievements of the Kingdom in all fields since independence.

They stressed that these achievements, thanks to the leadership and the hardworking people of Jordan, have made Jordan a distinctive country that is held in high esteem internationally.

The heads of authorities highlighted Jordan’s developments over the past decades, starting from the reign of King Abdullah I, the founder of the Kingdom, to King Talal, who drew up a new progressive Constitution in 1952, King Hussein, the builder of modern Jordan, and King Abdullah, the leader of achievement, modernisation and development.

They pointed out that Jordan, despite the external shocks caused by the recurrent regional instability, has kept the momentum of the development path.

The speakers underscored His Majesty’s efforts in supporting the Palestinian cause and the holy city of Jerusalem as the top priority, outlining the historical role of the Hashemites to protect Jerusalem and its Muslim and Christian holy sites since the time of Sharif Hussein Bin Ali, the King’s great grandfather.

During the celebration, the King awarded medals to national institutions and a number of pioneers in various sectors for their efforts in building the country and enhancing its progress, the statement said.

The King, Queen and Crown Prince watched a short film on the achievements of the awarded persons and institutions.

His Majesty King Abdullah said in a tweet that this country has been built with the determination of Jordanian men and women who have made independence and preserved it across generations, and it is our duty to continue building to keep our homeland free and lofty, a beacon for glory. God bless Jordan and Jordanians”.

On his Instagram account, the Crown Prince wrote: “Happy independence anniversary for our Jordan”.  

Achievers decorated on national day

Following is the list of organisations and individuals who were honoured by His Majesty King Abdullah on the occasion of the 72nd Independence Day: 

• Department of Jerusalem Awqaf and Al Aqsa Mosque Affairs — Order of Independence of the First Class for the key role of the department in safeguarding the Islamic Awqaf and holy sites

• Marwan Qteishat – Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the First Class for his efforts in developing the performance of the Civil Status and Passports Department 

• Abdullah Oweidi Abbadi – Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the First Class for his distinguished efforts and excellence in medicine and introducing bone marrow transplant to Jordan and the Arab region

• Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation – Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the First Class for the institution’s role in supporting culture, science and art

• University of Jordan’s Centre for Strategic Studies – Order of Independence of the First Class for the institution’s role in conducting studies and research papers of strategic dimensions 

• Hala Zreiqat – Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Second Class for her achievements and innovations in biomedical engineering

• Fayzah Zu’bi – Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Second Class in appreciation for her role and dedication in voluntary work

• Nashmi Centre for Youth Empowerment — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Second Class for efforts of integrating Jordanian youth into voluntary initiatives

• Jordan Trail Association — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Second Class for marketing Jordan’s trekking and adventure tourism and helping the local communities along the trail

• Beit Al Rowad Troupe — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Second Class in appreciation of its role in supporting pioneering musicians and singers

• Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art and Restoration — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Second Class for promoting art in the Middle East

• Nayef Steitieh — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Second Class for establishing and managing the Jordanian Business Development Centre

• Abnaa Al Qalaa (the citadel folks) social/historical drama crew — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Second Class for highlighting major events in Jordan’s history.

• Miassar Al Saadi — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Third Class for her efforts in the field of women’s empowerment for 40 years

• Bseira Sports Club — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Third Class for advancing Judo in the Kingdom

• Hussam Ayad — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Third Class in appreciation of his endeavours to support people with disabilities in sports. 

AMMAN – Google on Friday changed its logo to celebrate Jordan's 72nd Independence Day, which is marked on May 25.

The Kingdom won its full independence on May 25, 1946, following the end of the British mandate. Its name was changed then from Emirate of Transjordan, which was established in 1921, to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The founding King Abdullah I was the first in the Hashemites dynasty to carry the title of king.

On the occasion, Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania tweeted with best wishes for the country and the people.

His Majesty said that "this country has been built with the determination of Jordanian men and women who have made independence and preserved it across generations, and it is our duty to continue building to keep our homeland free and lofty, a beacon for glory. God bless Jordan and Jordanians”.

The Queen wrote: "Wishing a happy 72nd Independence Day to our beloved country and its people" and the Crown Prince also expressed his wishes of a happy anniversary for "our Jordan" in an Instagram post.

Jordan's friends also took to twitter to share their best wishes>

"Happy Independence Day to Jordan and all Jordanians!" wrote Ana Lukatela‏ (@AnaLukatela) from UN Women.  

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld a February Criminal Court ruling sentencing a barber to 8 years in prison after convicting him of molesting a 10-year-old Syrian boy in his shop in Irbid in November 2017.

The court ruled that the defendant molested the victim after cutting his hair on November 19 and handed him the maximum punishment.

Court documents said the victim decided to cut his hair and went to the defendant’s shop.

“The defendant lured the victim into an isolated area behind his shop where he molested him,” the court said.

 The victim cried and shouted then ran towards a supermarket and “told the shop owner that the barber had molested him,” the court said.

The boy informed his family who notified the police, the court said, adding that “the victim was able to identify the defendant through a police lineup”. 

The defendant contested the ruling, arguing that the court relied only on the testimony of the victim and another child who was with him.

However, the higher court ruled that the Criminal Court followed the proper proceedings when sentencing and that the defendant deserved the verdict he received.

The Court of Cassation judges were Mohammad Ibrahim, Naji Zubi, Yassin Abdullat, Bassem Mubeidin and Majid Azab.

AMMAN — Nearly 900 Jordanians have approached the blood bank centres of the Ministry of Health to donate blood during the first week of Ramadan, the Jordan Red Crescent said on Thursday. 

The increase in the number of donors comes in light of a media blood donation campaign recently launched by the Jordan Red Crescent in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Ministry of Health. “The joint campaign created a great impact in the number of donors after receiving striking interaction on social media,” a statement by the Jordan Red Crescent said. 

The campaign, launched less than a week ago on the humanitarian organisation’s Facebook page, encourages citizens to flock to the blood banks after Iftar (fast-breaking meal) to provide sufficient blood units during periods of low donation. It also aims to raise awareness of the need for blood donation throughout the year and its role in saving the lives of children, mothers and the elderly. 

“The level of blood donation during Ramadan is extremely low due to the fast, and that is why this is the best timing to run this campaign,” director of public relations at the Jordan Red Crescent, Mohammad Al Tarifi, told The Jordan Times, noting that the blood banks are now welcoming donors after Iftar in order to cover the urgent need for blood donations during the holy month. 

“During Ramadan, we seek to help our communities by providing food and clothes, but blood donation is also a humanitarian action and this is the month to do good,” Al Tarifi stressed, adding that “blood donation is also beneficial for the donor’s health”. 

“Blood banks across the Kingdom are constantly receiving people who wish to donate blood during the holy month of Ramadan,” Director of the Blood Bank Directorate at the Ministry of Health Asya Al Adwan said, noting that the campaign reflects “the true concept of partnership between the community and the institutions”. 

Walid Al Saadi, one of the donors, said that he was “pleased to support those in need of blood units” and encouraged other people to “contribute to this humanitarian cause”. 

“Donating blood is also good for the donors themselves, as it revitalises the circulatory system,” he pointed out.

The campaign is set to continue through the last days of Eid Al Fitr, and donors wishing to provide blood for those in need can approach the blood bank centres of the Ministry of Health in Ashrafieh, West Amman and North Irbid from 9:00pm to 1:00pm.

AMMAN — State Minister for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani on Thursday condemned the Israeli government’s announcement of 2,500 new settlement units in the occupied Palestinian territories, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Momani, who is also the government’s spokesperson, stressed that Israeli settlement activities are illegal and absolutely rejected as they pose a direct threat to peace and challenge the will of the international community and relevant international resolutions, the minister also emphasised that the entire international community rejects settlements and considers them illegal, in addition to Security Council Resolution 2334, which clearly reflects the international community’s stand on this regard.

Momani also condemned Israeli unilateral measures aimed at changing the status quo in the occupied Palestinian territories, especially the settlement activities, which constitute a systematic undermining of the prospects for peace and a threat to security and stability in the region.

AMMAN — The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) has suspended a work supervisor after he was seen in a video purportedly assaulting a worker verbally and pushing him, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Thursday.

In a statement, carried out by Petra, the municipality said that a specialised committee, which was formed yesterday, will begin the investigation on the incident.

The municipality stressed that it “will not hesitate” to take actions to preserve its workers› rights and protect their dignity as well as to ensure a mutual respect between workers and their supervisors, which will eventually positively influence the quality of services provided to the city and its citizens.