The cabinet decided on Sunday, to delay, by three years, the implementation of a decision almost a year ago to reduce the number of foreign workers in the construction industry. The delay was proposed by the ministers of housing and construction, finance and industry, commerce and labor in light of increased construction. During the next three years, the limit on foreign workers will stand at 8,000, then go down to 5,000 for a year, then 2,000 for half a year.
The decision includes a program to encourage the entry of Israeli workers into the construction field. Employers will be given government assistance in paying the salaries of new Israeli workers in physically demanding jobs.