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Ammon News -
By Mohammad Habahbeh

AMMONNEWS - The Jordanian Teachers' Professional Association (JTA) announced that teachers throughout the kingdom will go on strike on Sunday, in protest of the government's recent decision to float fuel prices, which led to a hike in prices.

Head of JTA Mustafa Rawashdeh said that the decision to go on strike on Sunday was made during a meeting of the JTA Saturday evening held at the Jordanian Professional Associations Complex in Amman.

Rawashdeh stressed that the strike will only be on sunday, and will not be an open strike "but a message to denote our stance with citizens, because the price hikes will affect all products."

He called on parents not to send their children to school on Sunday, noting that the school day will be made up later in the semester.

JTA stressed during its emergency meeting that it champions "reform" and called for the immediate release of 6 teachers arrested and detained during the wave of riots and protests in the kingdom this past week.

"We reject the slogan of 'the fall of the regime' and do not agree with it, we demand reform under the banner of the regime," Rawashdeh said.

JTA board had met with Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Saturday afternoon, based on the premier's request.

Rawashdeh said in statements to Ammon News following the meeting that JTA board asked Ensour to retract from his government's decision, citing negative affects on citizens and on the stability and security of the country.

On his part, the Prime Minister justified the government's decision, and cited that there is no alternative to lifting government subsidies.

"The decision is unpopular, but it is in the best interest of the country," Ensour said.

Rawashdeh said during a press conference held following JTA's meeting that "the Prime Minister did not have anything new to say."

JTA requested from the Prime Minister in the presence of the Minister of Education not to issue any penalties on teachers who partake in the strike.

On the violent protests and riots that erupted in the kingdom since Tuesday, Rawashdeh stressed that "we as teachers reject the attack on public property and denounce vandalism," and called on maintaining "peaceful protests."

Rawashdeh called on security forces to allow citizens the freedom of expression "peacefully."

Violent riots, Protests, and strikes had erupted in various governorates throughout kingdom during the past three days against government decision to lift subsidies on oil derivatives.