Jordan’s Islamic Action Front urges gov't to step down

By Laith al-Juneidi

AMMAN (AA) - The Islamic Action Front (IAF), the political arm of Jordan’s Muslim Brotherhood group, has called on the government of Prime Minister Hani al-Mulki to step down.

The call comes amid mounting political tension after the government last week approved a revised version of proposed income tax legislation.

“With regret, we have noted the government's insistence on passing an income tax bill in response to recommendations issued by the International Monetary Fund,” the IAF said in a Monday statement.

It went on to assert than IMF representatives were “directly negotiating with relevant committees in Jordan’s parliament in clear violation of [Jordan’s] national sovereignty”.

The IAF also called for the departure of al-Mulki’s “failed government”, which, it said, had “exhausted the country and the people with its actions”.

On Wednesday, several Jordanian trade unions plan to go on strike to protest the income tax bill, which will be debated in parliament later this week.

Last week, Jordan's cabinet approved an amended version of the bill, which calls for levying taxes on annual incomes of 8,000 Jordanian dinars (roughly $11,280) or more.