"It is unacceptable that the tax authority employees should be closing the offices at a time of public unrest," said Israel Tax Authority director Yehuda Nasradishi at a conference of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Israel. He was commenting on the planned strike action by income tax employees who will be walking out from tomorrow amid a row over extra pay for additional tasks.
So far no progress has been made in the talks between staff and the Ministry of Finance in a bid to avert the shutdown of Tax Authority offices.
Income Tax workers committee chairman Talchum Fridlov said, "The Finance Ministry just keeps feeding the media false information, which makes it sound as if we're getting 20% more than other employees. We're the victim of a smear campaign. They keep giving us more tasks every week and that is unacceptable.
"As things stand at present, the tax collection system is on the brink of collapse. If they meet us halfway, we'll do whatever it takes. We'll work twice as hard. But if they're going to just spit at us, we can't help."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 7, 2008
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