The Knesset Labor & Welfare Committee on Monday morning 4 Teves approved a Shabbos bill for a second and third readings, a bill authored by Shas MK Yigal Guetta. The bill stipulates the employers or owners of commercial complexes will not be able to impose on a business or a service provider to working on the day of rest against his will and will not be able to demand compensation for not working on the day of rest and not be able to cancel the contract as a result.

Committee Chair MK (Kulanu) Elie Elalouf wishes to see it amended to make a provision to compel essential services to work on the day of rest. Elalouf feels the ‘day of rest’ would be determined by the employer, based on his religion.

The bill, if passed into law, would apply in municipalities that permit stores to operate on Shabbos as well.

MK (Yahadut Hatorah) Yisrael Eicher abstained in the vote despite being a force behind the bill because of the inclusion of the clause that persons tied to ‘essential services’ can be compelled to work.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)