Jordan: Government Freezes Kerosene Tax for Winter

Jordan News Agency, 3 January 2023: Jordan’s cabinet has announced a freeze on the kerosene tax to help citizens, especially those on a low income, for the winter season.

The government also said it is committed to reducing the price of kerosene if global prices drop. A nationwide campaign has been launched by the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission to monitor fuel stations’ commitment to selling kerosene at the declared price.

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Jordan: New Platform for Receiving Labour Complaints Announced

Jordan Times, 24 December 2022: Jordan’s Labour Ministry has announced it has finalised the new Himaya (protection) platform for recording labour-related complaints, which will allow labour associations, embassies, and civil society organisations to submit e-complaints on behalf of workers, especially with cases of suspected human trafficking.

Workers will also be able to submit complaints themselves directly.

The platform will launch in 2023 and will be available in ten languages, including Bengali, Hindi, Chinese, Indonesian, Nepali, Sri Lankan, Filipino, Arabic and English.

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Jordan: Prime Minister Orders Withdrawal of Books that Don’t Conform to Jordanian Values

Jordan News Agency, 30 November 2022: Jordan’s Prime Minister has instructed the Minister of Culture to conduct a review of all novels and literary works on sale in the country and to withdraw any publications that ‘fail to conform to values, customs and traditions of Jordanian society, and the nation’s principles’. 

The Prime Minister directed the relevant authorities total the necessary measures against such violations in accordance with current legislation. 

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Jordan’s Lower House Rejects Amendments to Cybercrimes Law

Jordan’s Lower House has rejected the amended cybercrimes law. The law was redrafted by the Government in December 2018 to try and address criticism of it, particularly in relation to the definition of hate speech. The definition was amended to ‘every writing and every speech or action intended to provoke sectarian or racial sedition, advocate violence or foster conflict between followers of different religions and various components of the nation’.

Jordan’s Legislation and Opinion Bureau has Published a Draft Zakat Law

Jordan’s Legislation and Opinion Bureau has published a draft Zakat law. If approved it will establish a General Zakat Organisation which will have its own financial and legal independence, a Board of Trustees and branches and offices across the country. A fund to succeed the Zakat Fund established under Jordan Law No. 8/1988 will also be established and that law and its regulations will be repealed. The Board’s members will be drawn from individuals recommended by the Cabinet, including the Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Sites Minister. It will identify Islamic banks in which Zakat funds are placed, make plans for expenditures, regulations and carry out other budgetary and administrative duties. It will also issue recommendations on Zakat payments. The law specifies the way in which Zakat funds will be spent. It will come into effect on its publication in the Official Gazette.

Jordan’s Cabinet has Approved a Code of Conduct on Disclosing Conflicts of Interest

Jordan’s Cabinet has approved a code of conduct on disclosing conflicts of interest. The code sets out the duties and responsibilities of Ministers. It also defines principles obliging the president and members of the Cabinet to abide by the rule of law, transparency, disclosure of conflicts of interest, previous professional and trade relations, accountability, integrity, efficiency, effectiveness, justice and equal opportunities.

Ministers may accept ordinary official or honorary gifts and other forms of appreciation, but must not accept or seek any kind of gift, benefit or other allowance. Gifts to Ministers exceeding 50 Dinars will have to be disclosed. Any gifts exceeding 50 Dinars will be considered public funds and property to be transferred to the Department of General Supplies. Ministers will have to disclose to the PM any conflict of personal and professional interests. Ministers will not be able to use their influence to benefit themselves, family members, or other related bodies. In addition, Ministers may not use information gained while in office to benefit themselves after they have left. They must also wait one year after leaving office to contract with the Ministry they ran. Finally, Ministers and their relatives must not trade in shares of companies they are responsible for, or benefit from material and non-public information.

Jordan: Income Tax Law Amendments Approved

The Jordanian Cabinet has approved a draft law amending the 2014 Income Tax Law, Jordan Law No 34/2014. The draft law aims to address income tax avoidance and evasion. It is also aimed at improving tax administration, enhancing the voluntary commitment of taxpayers and expanding the tax base. It will now be sent to Jordan’s Lower House for consideration in an extraordinary session.

Jordan: Private cars working with Uber and Careem are breaking the Law

Jordan’s Parliamentary Transport Commission has said private cars working with Uber and Careem are breaking the Law. The Commission Chairman, Hasan Alajarma said private cars working with smart applications for transport such as Uber and Careem violate the Passengers Transport Law, Jordan Law No. 19/2017, which stipulates vehicles transporting passengers should be public vehicles.