Israel-Gaza War, Israeli Economy

New data: How much of the Israeli economy is shut down?

Since the outbreak of the war, reserve callups and civilian evacuation have led to multiple furloughs and resignations. The Labor Ministry has the numbers.

Workers. Illustration. (Photo: Shutterstock)

With the war now in its fourth week, the Labor Ministry published data this morning (Thursday) providing an economic assessment of the number of people unable to work due to the war and its effects on the labor market.

According to the ministry’s data, since the beginning of the war, 46,004 workers have been fired (30%) or furloughed (70%). Relative to the equivalent period in 2018, the numbers show an increase of 150%.

Some 760,000 people are currently not working due to being in the reserves, residents of the Gaza Perimeter who were evacuated from the region, and parents of children who cannot make it to work – all told, some 18% of the workforce.

The sectors that were hardest hit due to the war, to the tune of 100%, are travel agencies and touring companies, art and entertainment, archives and museums. Other sectors that have been hit are construction, renovation, retail sales in clothing, leather goods, textiles, and shoes – all of them suffering a hit of 50%.

Labor Minister Yoav Ben Tzur, who approved the bringing of foreign workers into the country to replace the workers from Gaza and the Palestinian Authority, said that “the situational picture of the economy helps us direct resources to the places where response is needed, among other things in expanding activity hours in the needed sectors. In addition, we approved the bringing of 5000 foreign workers from countries from around the world to solve the distress of Israeli agriculture and help that sector continue to function. We will continue to provide a response in all the needed places.”

Yisrael Ozan, Director-General of the ministry, added that “the Labor Ministry conducts ongoing analyses in order to best be prepared during wartime, to ensure that employers are preserving workers’ rights at this time and to send in workers where they are lacking. The Labor Ministry is fully enlisted in favor of the labor market in Israel and we are currently examining employment programs for the evacuees in the hotels in order to maintain the employment and functional continuity of the economy.”

Operation Swords of Iron Labor Ministry Employment Economy

Comments

Do not send comments that include inflammatory words, defamation and content that exceeds the limit of good taste.

The comment was sent successfully.
Soon the response will be examined by our editors and if it is found to be correct it will be published on the website.
The comment was sent successfully.
Soon the response will be examined by our editors and if it is found to be correct it will be published on the website.


We Just Keep Winning

IDF takes out Nukhba trash, blows up tunnels | Watch
Avi Woolf | 07.11.24

Time To Be Bosom Buddies Again

Bibi calls Trump and congratulates him on reelection
Avi Woolf | 06.11.24

This ain't Texas

Tank overturns in southern Lebanon while returning to Israel
Gila Isaacson | 06.11.24

So happy to see you go

3 people I never want to see again (Hint, it's 'Momala' and co.)
2
| Gila Isaacson | 06.11.24

It's not all good news:

Tlaib, Omar win re-election amid heightened debate over US-Israel policy
1
| Gila Isaacson | 06.11.24

Best of luck to Israel Katz

Here's how Israel's newest defense minister could change the trajectory of the war
1
| Gila Isaacson | 06.11.24

Well, What Else Was He Going To Do

Abu Mazen congratulates Trump, vague words from Hamas
1
| Avi Woolf | 06.11.24

Real faith isn't always pretty

Raw faith: Finding G-d between the sirens
2
| Gila Isaacson | 06.11.24

Too Soon Or A Long Time Coming?

BREAKING: Bibi fires Gallant
1
| Avi Woolf | 05.11.24