Business in Brief

WIZO: Increase in firings of pregnant women

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)