MKs: Government must curb layoffs
Knesset's Finance Committee to hold special recess session on surge in unemployment figures. Cmte. chair warns of 'unnecessary hysteria'; members mull imposing more taxes on the affluent
The spike in unemployment figures and reports of planned massive layoffs in the market have promoted the Knesset's Finance Committee to call a special recess session to discuss possible government measures to curb the phenomenon.
Committee Chairmen MK Moshe Gafni (United Torah Judaism) told Ynet that the panel has been swamped with requests by businesses on the verge of collapse.
"The government cannot remain oblivious to this plight and it has to step in and assist (businesses) as it has before. This trend of massive layoffs is very dangerous and if it continues we'll have to initiate a policy change," he said.
"The Finance Committee, as a social committee, will intervene and promote a new agenda that will include creating jobs and taking care of the weaker echelons."
Gafni added that imposing more taxes on the rich was a definite possibility: "Imposing taxes on them won't be easy but the strong have to help the weak."
The Knesset's Economics Committee Chairman MK Carmel Shama (Likud), said that if the market is experiencing a downturn "it's time for actions, not words. The committee will summon representatives of the government to a special hearing we'll hold on the government's plans to fight unemployment.
"It is also important to keep a level head," he said. "There is no need for hysteria – we have to act responsibly and professionally."
Labor Chairwoman Shelly Yachimovich urged the government to immediately suspend any non-essential national projects – especially in the form of contracts that were awarded to foreign countries.
She also said the government must activate the government assistance fund for businesses, which was put in place in 2009 but never used.
