Limited Compensation for Employees Affected by Recent Crisis
Government Compensation Plan Focuses on Businesses
As the government prepares to unveil a new compensation plan this week, employees facing work absences due to current emergencies should temper their expectations. The plan being discussed by the Ministry of Finance is primarily designed to compensate businesses, with little to no provision for salary support for employees unable to return to work.
Sources indicate that the upcoming compensation framework will likely be restricted to covering limited operational expenses incurred by businesses, rather than providing funds for employee salaries or monthly revenue losses. Specifically, there appears to be no separate mechanism for employee compensation, leaving many workers, particularly those caring for children, without financial relief.
Labor Unions Express Concerns
Labor organizations have expressed strong concerns regarding the direction of the compensation plan, with the Histadrut (the Israeli Trade Union) stating that they will not accept any proposal that penalizes workers who have been compelled to stay home due to active military operations. Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David emphasized this point in a letter to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Chairman of the Knesset Finance Committee Moshe Gafni.
In anticipation of the announced plan, unions including “Koach LaOvdim,” which represents around 150,000 workers, have requested an urgent meeting with the Finance Ministry to negotiate a compensation strategy that would ensure full salary payments for workers unable to return to their jobs.
Gender Disparities and Working Parents
The ongoing crisis places a disproportionate burden on women, who often bear the brunt of childcare responsibilities. Attorney Avigail Shacham, co-Secretary of Koach LaOvdim, pointed out that Israel ranks low within the OECD regarding gender pay gaps, and that current governmental directives exacerbate existing inequalities. Shacham argued that while the government seeks to expedite the return to normalcy to reduce compensation payouts, it cannot do so without ensuring essential working conditions for all employees.
Moreover, Tal Hochman, CEO of the Women’s Lobby, warned that many mothers are now caught in a difficult position of choosing between professional responsibilities and their children’s safety. She called for urgent measures to ensure safe and secure childcare provisions and resources to facilitate parental involvement in the workforce during these times.
Flexible Employment Models Proposed
Attorney Tali Nir, CEO of the 121 Organization, proposed that instead of placing employees on unpaid leave, the government should encourage flexible employment arrangements. She suggested that many workers currently face restrictions that prevent them from returning to full-time work, and that the government could support part-time employment solutions that would allow for a more sustainable balance.
For many workers unable to return to their jobs, Nir recommended a model where the state would supplement income through unemployment benefits for the hours workers cannot be employed.
Government’s Stance on Compensation
Officials within the Ministry of Finance have stated that, if necessary, they will provide the necessary economic support for businesses and workers, though they appear to be prioritizing minimal financial outlay at this time. The ministry has denied any influence over the current directives, asserting that decisions are made solely by the national emergency authority and the Home Front Command.
As the government gears up for a formal announcement, stakeholders and labor entities are hopeful for a more equitable approach that takes into consideration the sacrifstarts made by employees during this ongoing crisis