OECD Reviews of Labour Market and Social Policies: Israel

Business & Finance, Career Planning & Job Hunting, Labor
Cover of the book OECD Reviews of Labour Market and Social Policies: Israel by Collective, OECD
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Collective ISBN: 9789264079267
Publisher: OECD Publication: January 20, 2010
Imprint: OECD Language: English
Author: Collective
ISBN: 9789264079267
Publisher: OECD
Publication: January 20, 2010
Imprint: OECD
Language: English

This 2009 review of Israeli labour market and social policy finds that Israel has enjoyed strong economic growth over the last decade, but the benefits of this are being distributed unevenly. Poverty rates are higher than in any OECD country, which reflects the deep social and economic divides in Israeli society. On one side, there is the general Jewish population with poverty and employment rates similar to those of OECD countries. On the other, there are Arabs and ultra-Orthodox Jews, or Haredim, who have large families, poor educational outcomes and low employment rates. As a result, just over half of Arab and Haredi families live in poverty. Almost half of all children entering primary school in Israel come from one of these two groups, so profound policy changes are needed to prevent future generations of Arabs and Haredim from being scarred by the disadvantages these population groups face today.

Tackling the root causes of such deep inequality would greatly enhance the dynamism of the Israeli economy. Greater investment to help workers improve their skills is urgently needed. Welfare-to-work programmes need to be restructured and extended, including by reducing child benefits paid to families who are able to work but do not and by sharply increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit to tackle in-work poverty more effectively. And access to means-tested income supports for the neediest should be improved. Israel has failed to enforce many aspects of its labour legislation, contributing to poor employment conditions for many resident, cross-border and foreign low-income workers. Rules to overcome discrimination against all workers need to be enforced, and the illegal hiring and employment of temporary foreign workers need to be stamped out.

Progress has been made in many of these areas. New legislation and initiatives have been introduced. The challenge is how to make reform work in practice. The consequences of not doing so would be devastating.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This 2009 review of Israeli labour market and social policy finds that Israel has enjoyed strong economic growth over the last decade, but the benefits of this are being distributed unevenly. Poverty rates are higher than in any OECD country, which reflects the deep social and economic divides in Israeli society. On one side, there is the general Jewish population with poverty and employment rates similar to those of OECD countries. On the other, there are Arabs and ultra-Orthodox Jews, or Haredim, who have large families, poor educational outcomes and low employment rates. As a result, just over half of Arab and Haredi families live in poverty. Almost half of all children entering primary school in Israel come from one of these two groups, so profound policy changes are needed to prevent future generations of Arabs and Haredim from being scarred by the disadvantages these population groups face today.

Tackling the root causes of such deep inequality would greatly enhance the dynamism of the Israeli economy. Greater investment to help workers improve their skills is urgently needed. Welfare-to-work programmes need to be restructured and extended, including by reducing child benefits paid to families who are able to work but do not and by sharply increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit to tackle in-work poverty more effectively. And access to means-tested income supports for the neediest should be improved. Israel has failed to enforce many aspects of its labour legislation, contributing to poor employment conditions for many resident, cross-border and foreign low-income workers. Rules to overcome discrimination against all workers need to be enforced, and the illegal hiring and employment of temporary foreign workers need to be stamped out.

Progress has been made in many of these areas. New legislation and initiatives have been introduced. The challenge is how to make reform work in practice. The consequences of not doing so would be devastating.

More books from OECD

Cover of the book Revenue Statistics in Asian Countries 2017 by Collective
Cover of the book OECD Economic Surveys: European Union 2009 by Collective
Cover of the book OECD Economic Surveys: Poland 2010 by Collective
Cover of the book Social Protection System Review of Kyrgyzstan by Collective
Cover of the book OECD Economic Outlook, Volume 2010 Issue 1 by Collective
Cover of the book Good Governance for Digital Policies: How to Get the Most Out of ICT by Collective
Cover of the book Value for Money in Health Spending by Collective
Cover of the book Growth and Sustainability in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and South Africa by Collective
Cover of the book Southeast Asian Economic Outlook 2010 by Collective
Cover of the book Les impôts sur les salaires 2009 by Collective
Cover of the book Indigenous Employment and Skills Strategies in Canada by Collective
Cover of the book OECD Economic Surveys: Mexico 2009 by Collective
Cover of the book Innovative Financing Mechanisms for the Water Sector by Collective
Cover of the book The Changing Boundaries of Social Enterprises by Collective
Cover of the book Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes Peer Reviews: Denmark 2011 by Collective
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy