AMMAN, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Jordan's Prime Minister Omar Razzaz pledged on Wednesday to start a comprehensive dialogue with all involved parties on the income tax law as protests continued across Jordan against the bill.
In a tweet on his official account, Razzaz said he will work with all parties to come up with a fair tax law that is just to all.
The envisaged tax law will realize development and reflect positively on Jordanians, he said.
Razzaz added that the relationship between the government and citizens is based on a clear structure, and all have duties and responsibilities.
Official sources told Xinhua Wednesday that Razzaz will meet with members of the parliament and representatives of the country's professional associations, which vowed to continue their protests even after the appointment of Razzaz to replaced former Prime Minister Hani Mulki.
Late Wednesday, thousands of Jordanians gathered near the prime minister's headquarters for the seventh day to protest the law and the government's economic policies.
The protestors said they will continue their protests until the law is withdrawn, stressing what they demand is the change of the policies not the change of individuals.
The controversial bill, which is part of a series of reforms under a deal between Jordan and the International Monetary Fund, focuses on three aspects: improving tax collection, curbing tax evasion and boosting tax revenues, which are expected to increase by 300 million dinars (423 million U.S. dollars) annually.
The proposed law seeks to increase the ratio of income tax payers from the current 4.5 percent to 10 percent.
The legislation has been resisted by several sectors, including professional associations, investors and other segments of the society.
