Members of the Jerusalem Planning Committee complained that lack the budget but refreshments for committee meetings and the office, pointing out they work very long hours. Their cries did not go unheard as the city’s Finance Committee in its next meeting plans to significantly increase the budget for refreshments for the committee.
According to Deputy Mayor Deutsch, who is serving on the committee, often, they are compelled to pay for refreshments out of their own pockets, stating before meetings an assistant would head to Machane Yehuda to buy fruits, vegetables and pastries. There were actually statements from committee members that they tried beginning meetings “on an empty stomach” but headaches resulted and they were unable to function at their regular capacity.
The good news is the Finance Committee took their words to heart and they will be increasing the budget for refreshments from NIS 28,000 annually to NIS 42,000 annually, a 50% increase. Some might opine it pays to have friends in government.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
2 Responses
Give a 15 minute break to go buy food or have them prepare sandwiches before starting the meeting. WASTE of taxpayers’ funds.
In Israel, people often work long days and well into the night. The work ethic is BH very strong. It is also socially expected that food be available in the workplace. Every office I have worked in had a fully stocked kitchen and people feel at home taking a bowl of cereal, making a salad from things in the fridge, etc.
To chutnikim this may sound crazy, but not having food in the office is a no no. And given the work ethic, taking 15 minutes out just to refresh on food would seem like a giant waste of time.