The Knesset is voting itself a raise. The House Committee approved a 23.5 percent increase for MKs today with hardly any objections. It will bring their compensation to about $900 a month, including expenses. But MKs living outside Jerusalem will still be able to charge the Knesset for their hotel rooms while attending sessions. Only yesterday, the Cabinet approved a 22 percent pay hike for civil servants.
Likud MK Haim Korfu, who proposed the higher Knesset salaries, explained that Knesset members have not had an increase in 2 1/2 years. “In effect, we received much less than all other wage comers,” he said when asked if he thought the raise was appropriate at a time the government is struggling against inflation. In anticipation of a possible public outcry, the Knesset Committee is considering penalties for absentee members.
REMINDER: There will be no Bulletin dated Nov. 23 due to Thanksgiving, a postal holiday.
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