The outline agreed upon stipulates that a worker quarantined due to the virus will be able to take advantage of sick days at the expense of the isolation period. The payment for sick days will be in accordance with the law: 0% of the sick day on the first day, 50% of the sick day on the second day, 50% of the sick day on the third day, and 100% from the fourth day of isolation. The state and employers will share the remaining cost of quarantine equally.
It was also agreed that the Histadrut would not declare labor disputes and would not take organizational measures demanding an extension of eligibility. However, the Histadrut will be able to reach beneficial agreements regarding the days of quarantine, according to which the employer will be entitled, among other things, to pay the employee 100% of the value of a sick day, starting from the first day of isolation. The state will not reimburse the employer for the complementary part of the beneficiary arrangement.
At the employers' request, the agreements will not apply to employees who have returned from a private trip abroad. There is an obligation to register regarding the isolation on the Ministry of Health's' website. The employer will act to assist the employee in submitting the report.
In response to employees who do not have a quota of sick days, the parties agreed that employees will receive payment for the isolation days, according to the following division: 0% of the salary on the first day, 50% of the salary on the second day, 50% of the wages on the third day Fourth and beyond. The state will fully fund this payment.
To complete the agreements' procedure, the parties applied to the High Court to extend the existing arrangement by 28 days. The reimbursement to the employers will also be given retroactively for October.
The Chairman of the Histadrut, Arnon Bar-David, stated that: "The order of the day requires everyone to show responsibility and bear the burden together. Since the crisis's outbreak, we have proven more than once that only real cooperation between the parties can restore hope and strengthen Israeli society from within. We do not know how long this crisis will accompany us, but we do know that the gaps are worth bridging. We must all continue to do our utmost to keep the economy afloat and embark on a path that will enable its recovery and growth. The agreements reached despite the disagreements on paying the quarantine days produce a proper balance in the world of labor relations. Thank you to all the partners who have shown responsible leadership and a sound signature for the entire House of Israel. "
Minister of Finance Israel Katz: "In these difficult days, we are required more than ever to give full protection and security to each of the workers. I welcome the agreement reached, with essential cooperation between the parties, that will directly and uncompromisingly assist the business sector. This is a significant responsibility on the part of the State of Israel for the corona crisis's consequences. I will continue to act responsibly and professionally for the benefit of strengthening the Israeli economy and the business sector. "
The chairman of the employers 'presidency and the president of the Manufacturers' Association, Dr. Ron Tomer: "I hear the voices demanding that all days of isolation be at the expense of the state or the employee But out of a sense of national responsibility, we agreed to bear the burden together, subject to the State also bearing a significant share of the costs.
This is a huge step in helping the business sector, which began with a petition we filed with the High Court at the beginning of the Corona crisis against recognizing quarantine as a disease and ends with the state taking responsibility. "I thank the presidents of employers and businesses and the presidents of the Manufacturers' Association who unanimously approved the outline, and we will continue to work to exclude businesses that employ up to 5 workers so that the cost of quarantine does not fall on the shoulders of employers and workers."
