Economics Minister Naftali Bennett (Bayit Yehudi/Jewish Home) called on employers to give all employees stranded by the snow a half day's paid vacation Sunday, as Israel recovers from a record-breaking snowstorm.
The Civil Service Commission had announced Tuesday that public service workers would receive a half-day's compensation in the event the snowfall continued. As a result, Bennett has called on employers nationwide to adopt the same practice.
"Days like these require solidarity, and I believe that every employer can find a way to help their employees," Bennett stated.
Workers living in snowbound areas are unable to reach their places of work since Thursday. While power outages across Israel and road closures have been resolved in some areas - most notably, in Jerusalem - several communities in more remotes places are still without electricity and/or running water, especially in Judea and Samaria.
Employers are legally able to dock an employee's pay for missing work due to inclement weather, or alternatively to count the day as a vacation day. Bennett's call stems from the unique circumstances regarding the storm; more than just stranding residents of a particular area, there are very few regions of Israel not affected by the storms, which barraged the country with snow, hail, rain, and high winds during a 72-hour period.