Parents launch protests over child-raising costs

The "Consuming Mothers Cry" Facebook page has quickly reached 5,300 friends.

28 July 11 09:57, Michal Raz-Chaimovitch

A new group of protesters is emerging to join the tent protesters and others - parents protesting against the high cost of parenting. Israelis spend thousands of shekels a month on daycare, diapers, infant formula and foods, strollers and other equipment.

Education is not free; school fees cost thousands of shekels and schoolbooks cost hundreds, and since school and daycare end early, afternoon activities cost a fortune.

The Consuming Mothers Cry Facebook page quickly reached 5,300 friends.

"Globes": Will the parents protesters join hands with the tent protesters?

Consuming Mothers Cry organizer Liat Vardi-Bar: "On one hand, the government promotes fertility, but no one gives a thought to the financial cost of being a parent. The price we pay has no comparison anywhere in the world."

The parents' demands include free education from the age of 3 months, price controls on basic goods, such as diapers and infant formula, expanded maternity leave, stop paying for strollers on buses, recognition of daycare and infant products for tax purposes, and equal pay and equal opportunities for working mothers.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 28, 2011

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