HRANA – Bazaar traders went on strike today in an effort to delay the government from imposing higher taxes.

According to Jahan, the jewelry and fabric bazaar was essentially closed this morning. Bazaar store owners were protesting the increased taxes. In October 2008 bazaar traders went on a week-long strike over a newly introduced value added tax and returned to work only after the government backed down.

The Ministry of Trade, the Trade Council and the Organization for Tax Affairs have scheduled a special session to find a solution to the matter.

Deputy trade minister Mohammad Ali Zeyghami, Trade Council head Nasser Farhani, and Tax Affairs Organization head Ali Asghari are currently meeting to reach an agreement to diffuse the situation.