In the current war, the enormous contribution of reservists, who are also suffering heavy losses on the battlefield, stands out. When they were drafted into the war, the reservists left behind homes, families, women, children, workplaces and private businesses, and the longer their service lasts, the greater the concern among many of them about their economic future.
Compared to previous operations, this time the length of reserve service is not short, and therefore Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich formulated a broad 28-section plan designed to help reserve soldiers and their families. In recent days, the plan was transferred from the office of the Director General of the Ministry of Finance to the heads of the departments, so that they would give their opinion on its inclusion in the 2024 budget.
Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich. Formulating a plan for the reservists, photo: Noam Rivkin Fenton/Flash90
The cost of the program is estimated at NIS 2023 billion. A small portion of the items will be budgeted from the 2024 budget, while most will be based on the <> budget, which is supposed to be passed by March. This is a preliminary plan, and clauses may be dropped or added, but this is the skeleton of the plan.
Additional credit point
The program offers 28 sections. For example, in the category of "Payments, Benefits and Grants for Reservists and Their Families," the Ministry of Finance offers a fixed monthly grant for each month of reserve duty, similar to the grant recently given; This is NIS 1,100 for each reservist, and an additional grant of up to NIS 2,000 for those with children up to age 14 – in addition to the regular reserve salary. In addition, special remuneration is planned for those who serve beyond sixty days of reserve duty.
One of the difficulties for a reserve job is to return to work immediately after completing the grueling service. Therefore, it is proposed that those who serve be entitled to an additional day off for every 10 days of reserve duty they serve; It is also proposed to give those who served more than 45 days an additional credit point for the relevant tax year.
Reservists in staging areas near the Gaza Strip border. Leave behind family, business, studies, photo: Shmuel Buchris
In order to deal with the concern that due to prolonged reserve service they will want to dismiss employees who have been absent for a long period, it is proposed to extend the prohibited period of dismissal to 90 days (before the change: 30 days) after the end of service.
Extension of maternity leave
Another category mentioned in the program deals with assisting the spouse of a reservist. The proposal is to grant two additional vacation days to the spouse of a servant with children under the age of 14 for each month of reserve. In addition, it is proposed to shorten the working day of a servant's spouse and also to grant two additional sick days to the spouse of a reservist with small children.
In assisting the couple, it was also proposed to extend maternity leave until release from Order 8 or for a period of six months. In addition, it is proposed to extend unemployment days for the spouse of a servant who is on unpaid leave or resignation, as well as granting a family vacation voucher to a reservist who has served more than sixty days.
Compensation track for the self-employed
Another category deals with business assistance of reservists. The Ministry of Finance is planning to help by establishing a NIS 1 billion loan fund for independent reservists.
In addition, postponement of the deadlines for submitting reports and VAT payments, compensation track for the self-employed for losses that occurred due to absence in favor of reserve duty, exemption from municipal taxes, giving preference in tenders, and granting concessions for the purchase of land as part of the Israel Land Authority tender.
The proposal also asks for leniency for students. This includes a grant in the amount of annual academic tuition for those serving more than 60 days, and granting academic concessions to servants and their spouses who are parents of children under the age of 14, as well as preference for reservists with regard to admission to academic institutions. As mentioned, as of now, this is a plan that is still under discussion.
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