Jordanian anti-austerity protesters speak

This video says about itself:

🇯🇴 Jordan sees largest anti-government protests in years | Al Jazeera English

3 June 2018

Anger is mounting in Jordan against tax increases, with another day of protests calling for the government to resign. The tax rises are required by the International Monetary Fund.

Translated from Dutch NOS TV:

‘We Jordanians continuously feel ignored‘

The planned increase in income tax and the umpteenth price increase were the straw that broke the camel’s back for thousands of Jordanians. They went out into the streets in the capital Amman and other cities until well into the night. For the third day in a row they demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Hani Mulki.

“This law devastates the standard of living of citizens“, says demonstrator Mohammad Himmo to news agency AP. He refers to the bill to increase the income tax for everyone with an annual income from 9660 euros on by 5 percent. For businesses, the tax increase can go up to 40 percent.

Earlier this year, the price of bread had already doubled. The female activist Sahar al-Arori summarizes the increasing dissatisfaction as follows: “The fact is that we constantly feel ignored, the will of the people does not reach the decision-makers.”

…

the International Monetary Fund (IMF) called for drastic tax reforms. According to the government of Prime Minister Mulki, the proposed tax law is the solution. To the anger of the trade unions and demonstrators.

“We have to take their protests very seriously”, says [journalist] Bergamin. “The protesters still chanted peaceful, peaceful, but if there are no measures now, it can lead to a complete chaos.”

From Associated Press today:

Western supporters of the kingdom view signs of social unrest with concern. Jordan is a key military ally.

Concerns rise after Jordanian police fire tear gas to disperse protesters: here.