(MENAFN- Alghad Newspaper)
The case for expats drew a lot of traction in regards to how the state approaches the issue. There are voices calling for policymakers in Jordan to reconsider how they address the status of Jordanian expats, and find a way to make the most of their expertise overseas.
Essentially, the idea is that a database of the expats must be created for ease of access and communication, as well as service rendering.
Jordanian minds abroad have a lot to offer their homeland, as my friend Said Abu Odeh said. It can also help facilitate political, economic, cultural, and social ties. It would also help to lift this official veto against the expats' participation in the election process while overseas.
When I previously said that it would make it easier for them to pay income tax, the assumption was that they are paying it here.
Of course, some began wondering if there were any official intentions to introduce these new measures to collect income taxes overseas.
Meanwhile, to the best of my knowledge, there is none.
However, as I may not have covered this part sufficiently, income taxes that is, some would think there are indeed intentions to raise them.
While at it, I thought why not address it.
First thing's first, tax duplicity is illegal. If you pay income tax in your country of residence you do not pay income tax to your country of nationality.
Second, the expats' reproach on the government's policies was packed with instances and varying opinions on what seems to be a compound issue in the state's relationship with its abroad citizens.
Most of the expats who expressed their opinions on the issue have concurred that the services their receive are below expected and often disappointingly inadequate.
US expats, under the FATCA law, receives so much in facilitated services overseas. In comparison, Jordanian expats receive next to nothing!
So how can we address the inconsistencies and issues in the state-expat relationship?
Some will say: why don't you start by fixing the state's relationship with the citizens here first?!
Well, I can't argue with that, but for the purpose of this article, let us discuss the expats, shall we?!
We have already spoken about the numerous enhancements advanced by the current Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, to better consulate and diplomatic services.
But what do our expats think? Can they sense any change in the quality and adequacy of the services they receive?!
Feedback from our expats is essential in this regard.
Another thing is reinforcing communication with and between our expats while in conferences and meets, to preface the coming together of efforts that may develop on several fronts, domestically and externally.
To this end, building a database will help, as it helps most western and European states locate and contact their citizens overseas.
Such ideas require the development of an Expatriate Affairs department within the Foreign Ministry, and recruitment of qualifications, along with financial allocations.
More so, the government needs to consider a more beneficial approach and mind-set to the question of empowering expat input.
There is a massive gap between the views domestically and overseas. To bridge these views, we need to launch a deep, constructive, open dialogue to allow for sincere exchange of views.
This article is an edited translation of the Arabic version, published by AlGhad.
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