The minimum wage law for compulsory service soldiers on Wednesday passed its first reading in the Knesset Welfare & Social Affairs Committee. The private bill is sponsored by Labor MK Amir Peretz, a former Histadrut National Labor Federation director-general.

The bill will make it mandatory for the state to pay compulsory service soldiers a minimum wage salary during the last one-third of their service, which in most cases would amount to NIS 3,500 today. The government has already expressed its opposition to the bill, stating it simply cannot afford such a move.

Since the bill does indeed carry a high price tag, when it comes to the plenum for a vote it will require at least 50 MKs to support it to become law.

Peretz explains that with so many alternatives available to soldiers today other than serving in the IDF, it is time to show appreciation and permit them to save some money before their discharge.

Today, a combat soldier serving in compulsory service earns about NIS 700 a month.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)