Histadrut and the Ministry of Finance have reached an agreement to resolve the issue of public sector paid leave after Pesach, as part of the government's efforts to reduce potential exposure to COVID-19 and keep workers at home. According to the agreement, non-essential public sector workers will contribute 3.5 days out of their annual paid holiday, with the government paying for an extra 3.5 days for each week. The agreement is meant to last until the end of April, when restrictions will be reassessed.
The agreement was signed a few days before an earlier agreement was due to expire. In a joint statement the Histadrut and Ministry of Finance said yesterday that "the agreement will allow the public sector to maintain the high level of services needed during these times, while taking the importance of social distancing into account. It is understood that the public sector must do its part to help deal with this crisis."
Arnon Bar David, chairman of the Histadrut, said that: "Each of us has the responsibility to do what is needed in order to deal as best we can with this crisis. I am proud of all workers, who have been working around the clock to provide essential services, even under the current financial constraints."
