Jordan’s prime minister defends price rise

Jordan’s prime minister is defending his decision to raise prices for household fuel, four days after the move sparked unrest that left one person killed and scores wounded.

Protesters from opposition parties and labour unions hold bread and shout anti-government slogans during a demonstration against economic conditions. (Reuters)

Abdullah Ensour says shaky state finances forced him to take the “painful decision” to hike heating and cooking gas by 54 percent and some oil derivatives by up to 28 percent.

He says that removing state subsidies on such products will save funds that will be directed to needier economic sectors. He assured low income Jordanians that they will be compensated by $600 per year for a household of six.

Protests across the country turned unusually violent earlier this week, with one person killed and 75 others, including 58 policemen, injured.