The Knesset plenum will reconvene next Wednesday, despite the summer recess, for a special one-day session to discuss the latest unemployment figures, which show a worrying rise. Following a request by 25 MKs the debate will be held entitled, "The deteriorating economic situation of the State of Israel under the Netanyahu administration."
The Kadima opposition party yesterday attacked rising unemployment when MK Israel Hasson said, "The rise in the number of unemployed is proof of the resounding failure of Netanyahu and Steinitz. The duo of Netanyahu and Steinitz that have basked over the past two years in the fruits of the responsible economic policies of the Olmert government have not only emptied the public coffers but brought more Israelis into the growing ranks of the unemployed, and we are still counting."
Over the past few days MKs have been making proposals to cope with the situation. Labor party chairwoman Shelly Yachimovich said, "The wave of layoffs in the economy is not a tsunami that cannot be controlled, and just as it is the obligation of the government to prepare for security threats so it should be preparing for employment threats a preparation that has not been made at all, instead of which they have given us baseless boasting about the excellent economic situation. Earning in dignity is a basic condition of human existence, and losing your livelihood is a devastation that must be prevented."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 23, 2012
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