Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., February 24, 2008 Adar1 18, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:08 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Business in Brief WIZO: Increase in firings of pregnant women Advertisement There was a steep rise last year in the number of women who complained they were fired or had their work conditions significantly worsened because they were pregnant, or after they returned from maternity leave. The numbers were published by WIZO, the Women's International Zionist Organization, in Israel. The number of complaints from women who claim they were fired while pregnant, undergoing fertility treatment or immediately after returning from maternity leave was up 64% last year. It is illegal to fire women in all these cases, unless the employer has received special permission from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Labor. The number of women asking for advice about these matters rose 70% in 2007 compared to 2006. According to WIZO, the increase is partly the result of women's increased awareness as to their rights. Nevertheless, there is also a real rise in the number of firings or other forms of harassment against women. At the same time, many women are still afraid to lodge a complaint against their employers for violating the law. (Haim Bior) Only special customers allowed to view, secretly, the brand new Jaguar XF Jaguar is setting its eyes on the Israeli market, and has started taking orders here for its new luxury model, the XF. The local marketing is actually secretive, as Jaguar does not permit a public launch before it starts selling the new model in Europe. For now, the car on display is kept in an underground garage and shown only to potential private customers - with very deep pockets. The base price is NIS 440,00 for the 3-liter, 240-horsepower model. But if that is not enough, a 4.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower under the hood is available too. Meir, the importer of Jaguar in Israel, has set a target of 100 cars this year. For now, Meir sells 50 Jaguars, of various models, a year. (Daniel Schmil) Winter is ending, and electricity rates will drop 3.8% at the end of the month Electricity rates will go down 3.82% at the end of February. The main cause was the fall in world energy prices when prices were adjusted at the end of January. The new cost for residential customers, which will take effect on February 28, is 51.42 agorot per kilowatt-hour, down from 53.47 agorot. But before you get too used to the lower rate, prices are very likely to rise once again soon, as world coal prices jumped recently, and their full effect will only be felt - and adjusted for - in coming months, as rates reflect the average price over a number of months. The cost of coal for the Israel Electric Corporation has already risen 49% since the start of 2008. (Barr Hayoun) Fresh food prices rose six times as fast as the CPI over the past two years Fresh food prices rose 18% in 2006-2007, three times the increase in the consumer price index. According to figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics and the Agriculture Ministry, while overall consumer prices were unchanged in January of this year, fresh food prices rose another 4.1%. These foods include such staples as milk, eggs, fish, meat, poultry, fruits, vegetables and honey. The average Israeli family spends about NIS 1,700 a month on these products. (Amiram Cohen) Bookmark to del.icio.us   Auschwitz gimmick U.K. Tory chief draws fire for calling school visits to Auschwitz a gimmick. 5 Stops in Galilee Rock hares, peach orchards, a taste of the past, and walking the Jesus trail.

Today Online Bradley Burston: This November, I'm voting christian Responses: 100 Iron Dome system found to be helpless against Qassams Responses: 216 Nasrallah: We're readying for war with Israel within months Responses: 304 U.S. to announce new aid plan for West Bank, Gaza Strip Responses: 161 Daniel Levy: Obama's change could be good for Israel Responses: 109 McCain, a supporter of Israel with a 'Judeophile' brother Responses: 131 More Headlines 21:59 Sderot mayor denies calling for cease-fire talks with Hamas 01:27 Skinhead-turned-Haredi embodies Poland's Jewish life 01:41 IDF officials: W. Bank unit abuse charges aren't 'moral crisis' 21:59 Foreign Ministry: IAEA report proves Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons 00:41 Turkish army kills 79 PKK rebels in Iraq as offensive widens 22:09 Abducted IDF soldier's brother: We're afraid he'll be next Ron Arad 14:22 Ramon calls for evacuation of settlers east of security fence 20:47 Settlers attack left-wing activists escorting W. Bank shepherds 18:31 Barak to hold consultations Sunday on proposed Egypt border fence 11:26 Arab states threaten to rescind 2002 Saudi peace initiative 12:18 IDF arrests senior PFLP operative in Nablus refugee camp Previous Editions Select Day 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 15 feb 14 feb 13 feb 12 feb 11 feb 10 feb

Special Offers Advertisement 7589 rockets fired so far HELP US TO HELP THEM Marina Royale Herzelia Pituach Your Luxurious Suite While Staying in Israel Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved