COVID-19 and Labour Law: Israel

Abstract

The article, written at the peak of lockdown and closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic in Israel, describes the government’s initial response to the employment crisis (up to the 10^th of April 2020). A host of emergency regulations affected the continuation of employment, and the provision of a social security safety net. Following a short description of the legal developments, the article notes some problems in the immediate response at times of crisis, including the use of the social security (unemployment insurance) system in lieu of encouraging the continuation of work to the extent medically possible, a differentiation between categories of work-providers in the public and private sectors, the gendered aspect of responses and the exceptional difficulties faced by those who are part of the weaker segments in the workforce.