Business leaders urge protection against attacks

Private sector leaders on Tuesday urged the government to protect businesses that have been subject to different kinds of attacks in the recent months. Following a meeting that was held yesterday, they issued a statement calling on the state to enforce the law so as to sustain a business-friendly environment and preserve the good image of Jordan as an investment destination, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported, quoting a statement by the business leaders, who said they worry about “the authority of the state” that is being threatened by escalating societal violence. No specific incidents were cited in the Petra report, but the statement came days after a leading company that has a cement factory in the south issued a statement charging that local tribesmen kidnapped and killed two of its employees as part of an alleged series of blackmail and intimidation. In addition, there have been several reports of thugs collecting “protection money” from merchants in different cities, including Amman, Mafraq and Zarqa. Tribesmen have also blocked roads to prevent workers at a company in the south from reaching their workplace, while water pipes were broken, also to coerce the businesses to give them jobs or money, hire their vehicles or buy other services from locals. They indicated that several businesses subjected to such practices have closed down and released their workers to ensure their safety. The meeting, attended by top representatives from the ordan Chamber of Commerce, the Jordan Chamber of Industry, the Jordanian Businessmen Association, the Jordan Insurance Federation, the Contractors Association and the Association of Banks in Jordan, was described as urgent.   Participants examined the impact of the increasing repeated violations against private economic institutions in different areas of the country. They said such violations and the reported criminal behaviours are alien to Jordanian culture and represent a stark breach of the law. From JT