State-employed social workers are not even seeking a salary increase or better job perks, but after ten weeks of sanctions find themselves in a vacuum, with no substantial action from any cabinet minister or government ministry.

The social workers explain that they can no longer attempt to continue carrying out their jobs in a professional fashion with a critical shortage of at least 1,000 additional professionals, calling on the Ministry of Welfare & Social Services to create additional jobs to permit hiring more manpower.

The social workers explain that they are responsible for the well-being of many children and others in crisis � and to their dismay, there is no possibility of handling the current caseload realities.

In a move towards compelling a cabinet response to their sanctions, on Sunday all offices have been closed and all treatment and acceptance of new cases have been halted.

Among those supporting strike leaders� demands for added positions is Minister of Welfare & Social Services Yitzchak Herzog.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)