Drivers in the “Dan” bus company began a partial strike on Thursday, disrupting the regular schedule on several bus lines. The affected lines are mainly in Yafo, Ariel, and southern Tel Aviv.

Workers explained that the strike is due to the company’s refusal to raise their salaries. A beginning driver receives only minimum wage, they said, and even senior drivers receive 25 shekels an hour, well below the average salary.

Drivers have also been required to give 700 shekels of their monthly salary as a loan to the company, which has been facing financial hardships. According to the drivers, the company has not yet returned the loan, and five months of negotiations have passed with no results.