The Histadrut signs an agreement raising the minimum wage in Israel
On December 3, an agreement raising the minimum wage in the economy was signed between Histadrut Chairman Avi Nissenkorn, and Chairman of the Federation of Israeli Economic Organizations, Zvi Oren *** The minimum wage will be raised by NIS 700 (equivalent to $175.26) and will stand at NIS 5,000 (equivalent to $1,251.87) *** The Histadrut Chairman, Avi Nissenkorn: "Today we bring a real message to employees in Israel. We declared that we will not be satisfied with an increase of only NIS 200 (equivalent to $50.07) and we fulfilled this promise. We promised to pave the way for a dignified life for 700,000 families and we did it".
At a festive ceremony held on December 3, an agreement raising the minimum wage in the economy was signed. The agreement that was led by the Histadrut Chairman, Avi Nissenkorn, determines that the minimum wage will be raised by NIS 700 (equivalent to $175.26) and will stand at NIS 5,000 (equivalent to $1,251.87). The wage increase will take place in three phases over the next two years.
Another achievement included in the framework of the new wage agreement is related to the mechanism to update the minimum wage in the future. Under the agreement, it was determined that the minimum wage in the future will be 52% of the average wage, and not 47.5% as is customary today. The mechanism to update the minimum wage that was set will come into effect upon completion of the three phases.
These achievements join the initiative led by the Histadrut, to employ workers with disabilities in the public sector and was approved in the beginning of this week by the government. According to the decision, by the year 2017 the number of workers with disabilities in civil services will be no less than 3%. At the end of the period, the government will consider increasing the percentage of workers with disabilities by an additional 2%.
The Histadrut Chairman, Avi Nissenkorn, referred to the agreement reached today and said: "Today we bring a real message to the employees in Israel. We declared that we will not be satisfied with an increase of only NIS 200 (equivalent to $50.07) and we fulfilled this promise. We promised to pave the way for a dignified life for 700,000 families and we did it. This is a day of celebration also for the population of workers with disabilities. I am proud to lead the first organization that made sure to promote an agreement that everyone benefits from - employees and their families and no less so, the public service as well, which will receive a new, quality workforce. The Histadrut, which sees itself as the largest social organization in Israel, has set a goal for itself to continue to work towards the reduction of social gaps and the eradication of harmful employment phenomena ".