Nurses ending labor dispute
Israel's nurses have reached an agreement with the Finance Ministry and are ending their labor dispute. The deal includes the opening of five new internal medicine wards in state hospitals over the next two years; over 300 new beds for elderly patients who require longer-term care; 116 new nursing positions will be added in emergency rooms; and another 180 new places will be added for nursing students this year. In addition, another 500 new nursing positions will be added over the next five years to absorb the new students when they graduate. Nurses who work five shifts in a week will be paid a higher rate for a sixth shift, and those nurses who agree to move to the south will be given housing subsidies for two years. (Ronny Linder-Ganz )
New law gives customers credit where it's due
Customers are to receive more rights when they get a credit from a store. A new bill passed by the Knesset this week requires stores that credit customers, such as for returned items, to stop placing time limits on the credits. The credits can also be used for sale items. Customers will also no longer be required to present a receipt after receiving a credit - only the credit slip itself. The law, sponsored by MK Ronit Tirosh (Kadima ), will take effect in 30 days. Shops will also be required to print the credits on paper that does not fade, as often currently happens. Also, if you use at least 90% of the value of the credit, the remainder will be refunded in cash - and customers can't be forced to buy extra items they may not really want. (Gabriela Davidovich-Weisberg )
