Lawmakers continue deliberations over gov’t policy statement for 5th day

AMMAN — The Lower House on Monday continued its deliberations over the government's policy statement for the fifth day before a vote of confidence in the Cabinet of Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Bisher Al Khasawneh.

During the session, chaired by Speaker Abdul Monem Odat and attended by the prime minister and members of the Cabinet, MP Mohammad Ababneh called for continuing the support for gig workers necessitated by the losses they incurred during the pandemic. He also called on the government to improve the health sector’s infrastructure and resume on-campus education.

MP Aref Saideh said that the pandemic directly impacted people's lives both economically and socially, thus citizens' livelihood must be considered a top priority, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

MP Abdelkarim Doghmi of the Shaab (people) bloc criticised talks about partnership between the government and the Lower House, describing it as a “common mistake” that has no grounds in the Constitution that sets different tasks and duties for each institution.

MP Muhammad Jaradat called for respecting the freedom of expression as a main human right and restoring respect for teachers, as well as providing jobs for military retirees and improving their living conditions.

MP Ahmad Sarahneh highlighted the importance of enhancing democratic and political life and lowering university fees to become affordable for citizens of average income.

MP Aamal Shugran called for a cooperation plan between the government and the House so that citizens can see the action on ground, demanding more achievements in the health, educational and economic sectors.

MP Rawa Gharabli stressed the importance of recruitment of locals at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority. 

 MP Rima Omoush called for elimination of newspapers’ social security debts and their exemption from income and sales tax in addition to other measures in order to alleviate the situation of the print media. 

Other MPs demands focused on the return of on-campus education, support for farmers, increase of salaries of officers in the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and improvement of living conditions of citizens.