Israelis to get 4 long weekends per year, ministers decide

The cabinet Sunday approved a measure to give Israelis four long weekends a year, stretching from Thursday to Sunday.

The measure is based on recommendations by a panel of directors from several ministries, who said that an earlier bill calling for six long weekends a year was excessive.

Kulanu MK Eli Cohen, who sponsored the original bill, praised Sunday's vote.

"Having long weekends in Israel would dramatically change our work habits and could result in major benefits: less exhaustion, better work-life balance, improved quality of life, and the bolstering of economic activity, such as tourism and commerce," Cohen said.

He said the long weekends would coincide with days that children are off from school.

The measure now heads to the Knesset Labor, Welfare and Health Committee, where some lawmakers will most likely try to increase the number of long weekends.

The Histadrut labor federation has been one of the main proponents of the original bill calling for six long weekends. The rationale was that this would help move Israel toward a 40-hour work week -- down from 43 -- and bring it closer to the average for developed countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The bill would also ensure that businesses such as tourist attractions and cultural venues would remain open on the long weekends, and that public transportation would operate normally. Under the provisions of the bill, those who work on those days would receive extra pay.

Once finalized, the measure will head to the Knesset plenum for final approval.

The measure is supported by many in the government, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Tourism Minister Yariv Levin and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, as well as many business leaders.

טעינו? נתקן! אם מצאתם טעות בכתבה, נשמח שתשתפו אותנו