Anger on Jordan's streets as IMF calls for higher taxes

Protesters argue with police in the centre of Amman yesterday. Photo / AP

Thousands of Jordanians have protested against a planned tax increase for a fourth straight day, marching toward the office of the Prime Minister and demanding his resignation.

King Abdullah II asked Prime Minister Hani Mulki to report to the royal palace, the military's website Hala Ahbar reported, raising speculation he might be sacked.

Demonstrations against the tax plan have filled streets across Jordan in recent days in the largest anti-government protests in several years. In some areas, protesters have burned tyres and clashed with police.

Western allies of the kingdom view any signs of social unrest with concern. Jordan is seen as an island of relative stability in a turbulent region and plays a key role in the international fight against Islamic militants.

In the Jordanian capital of Amman, protesters marched toward Mulki's downtown office yesterday, scuffling with riot police who tried to keep them back.

"Game over, government of thieves," the crowd chanted. Others shouted, "The Jordanian citizen is not an ATM machine."

Jordan's Government is under pressure from the International Monetary Fund to carry out economic reforms and austerity measures to get growing public debt under control. The pro-Western kingdom has experienced an economic downturn, coupled with rising unemployment, in part because of prolonged conflict in neighbouring Syria and Iraq and a large influx of refugees several years ago.

Many Jordanians feel they are being squeezed financially by a Government they perceive as corrupt and say they are not getting services for the taxes they are asked to pay. The planned tax rise was preceded by a series of price increases, most recently for fuel.

Protest organisers urged the king to cancel the tax plan, saying the poor are being targeted disproportionately.

More than a dozen unions and professional associations with a half million members plan a one-day strike tomorrow to press those demands.

Jordan's king has the final say in all policy matters, but positions himself as being above the political fray. He frequently reshuffles or disbands governments as a way of defusing public anger.

- AP