Finance minister instructed to formulate a bill to repeal the levy on employment of foreign workers

The Minister of Finance, Avigdor Lieberman, announced that he had instructed his ministry to formulate a bill to repeal the levy on the employment of foreign workers in the economy. According to Lieberman, the bill will be submitted immediately after the budget is approved - as early as 2021.
The current law requires every employer of a foreign worker to set aside 15% of the worker's salary. The purpose of this duty was to reduce the incentives for employing foreign workers. Lieberman now intends to reverse the trend, on the grounds of lowering the cost of living.
"Taxation on the employment of foreign workers is heavy, adding 15% -20% to the cost of their employment in the construction, hotels and catering industries. This excess cost is passed on to consumers. Therefore we will abolish this tax and I expect to see the reduction rolled out to consumers accordingly."
In his remarks at the beginning of the meeting of his faction, Yisrael Beiteinu, Lieberman also referred to the growing discourse around raising the living expenses of conscripts - as well as the IDF's request to approve a 50% wage increase in the coming budget year.
"I understand everyone's desire to press and press before the budget is approved, but it will not work. Additions will be discussed towards the end of 2023, with the next budget approval," Lieberman clarified. "Why did the opposition not do anything about the soldiers' salaries for 12 years? I was the only one who talked about raising the subsistence allowance, and standing with Stopper every week - it's not fair. I promised to raise the salary - and I will keep my commitment. Check after a year what we did and what we did not."
Regarding the protest campaign of the medical interns, Lieberman clarified that he would not withdraw from his position - and would not negotiate the opening of their terms of employment. "The state has a signed agreement with the Histadrut, and I do not intend to negotiate - but with the Histadrut." Lieberman referred the questions to the Minister of Health, Nitzan Horowitz, and reiterated his claim that the lack of standards is felt mainly in hospitals in the periphery, and that there is a surplus of doctors and interns in the center of the country - in hospitals such as Tel Hashomer and Ichilov.
Regarding the state of the economy, Lieberman said: "Even the most far-reaching optimists did not expect us to reach a growth forecast of 7% and a deficit of only 6%. This did not happen by itself, but thanks to three decisions made by the government: And especially the decision to leave an open farm and live next to the corona without closures. "
Lieberman conveyed confidence regarding the approval of the budget in the Knesset - and claimed that it would "pass a part." However, he hinted in his remarks at the removal of the minister without portfolio, Eli Avidar, from the ranks of the party. This, after the media published recordings of a private conversation between Avidar and Lieberman, in which Lieberman allegedly promised him that he would serve as a minister.
"I grew up on the values ​​of the Betar citrus, and I do not record my or others' conversations - and certainly do not leak them. "Avidar decided to go his own way - and I wish him success," said Lieberman.