The city of AlKarak has been at the forefront of demonstrative action in Jordan since the beginning of 2017. These came as a response to the government’s increases in taxes on a wide range of goods and services. Placed against a backdrop of rising unemployment levels and low wages it’s safe to say that these were not warmly welcomed by locals.
One boycott that particularly made an impact and went viral on local news outlets took place among citizens in Karak. In response to the increase in the price of fuel local activists boycotted the buying of petrol and abandoned their cars, taking to the streets on donkeys and horses instead.
Check out the footage below which shows a number of protestors taking to the streets with the horses and donkeys.
Local news channel alghad interviewed one activist, Hussein AlSaub who stated that the decision to revert back to the age of using donkeys and horses as a means of transportation was an expression of the rejection of the government decision to increase petrol prices.
In January 2017, in an aim to offset the $1.2bn budget deficit, the Jordanian parliament announced that they are looking to raise $643 in additional taxes and tariffs. The tax rises have affected a number of essential goods and services ranging from eggs and potatoes to cigarettes and petrol.
