Last update - 00:00 27/12/2006
Knesset panel approves cuts to youth unemployment benefits
By Zvi Zrahiya, Haaretz Correspondent
The Knesset Labor and Social Affairs Committee on Wednesday approved cuts to youth unemployment allowance, slashing by 25 percent benefits for those eligible who are 28 years old or younger.
The panel cut the period of eligibility for those 25 to 28 in age from 100 days to 67 days. The committee also voted to require young adults under 25 to accept any job after 14 days on the unemployment rolls.
Currently, they have the right to refuse any job offer up to 60 days. The National Insurance Institute's Leah Ahdut, who is the deputy director for research, said the NII opposes setting stricter conditions for young adults.
"The subsequent savings are marginal but the damage is serious," she said. The committee also voted to reduce the amount of nursing care for eligible seniors in the lowest category from 10 hours a week to 9.75.