The unemployment figures for July, published last week, do not faze Minister of Finance Yuval Steinitz, who said today that there was nothing new in them. "I am unaware of any new unemployment figures. I take a three-year perspective, during which we've increased the number jobs at double the average, and here, Israel is in first place in job creation," he said before entering today's cabinet meeting.
Shas chairman and Minister of Interior Eli Yishai thinks otherwise, saying, "There has been an increase in unemployment, and it is impossible to ignore the fact that the global world has effects, and unemployment is rising. Even if it is not yet severe, it should be dealt with now."
Last week, the Israel National Employment Service announced that 16,000 people were fired during July, and that the number of jobseekers rose to 211,000 persons from NIS 198,000 in June. There were 24,573 new jobseekers, a seasonally-adjusted increase of 1.2% (or 2,300 persons) over June.
At the start of the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised new pupils who will start school tomorrow. "Hello, First Grade. That is what the pupils will hear tomorrow. I wish you a successful school year."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 26, 2012
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2012