In an interesting response to an alarming increase in unemployment in Israel, adding almost another 20,000 people to the ranks of the jobless in January, the government’s Employment Service workers are launching a strike today, Wednesday.

Labor representatives explain that since the fiscal crisis has hit, the employees of offices around the country have been “inundated” with an unprecedented workload and they are unable to continue the pace.

Treasury officials responded by calling the job action “irresponsible,” adding that they are using the difficult situation to advance their demands.

Workers explain that they will continue processing and working with people in the system but they will not process new applicants.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)