Israeli Knesset members and senior civil servants are expected to be receiving an annual wage increase at the beginning of 2019, despite increased public concerns over expected rises in the cost of living, including food, water and electricity.
According to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics, the average wage for the first nine months of 2018 rose by 2.5 percent and is expected to rise to 3 percent by the end of the year.
Pay increases for parliamentarians and deputy ministers rises yearly in accordance. Therefore, their salaries will rise by an additional NIS 1,100 ($292) per month, with ministers receiving an an extra NIS 1,200 ($318). The prime minister’s salary is expected to rise by NIS 1,360 ($361) per month.
In addition to their salary increases, Knesset members, deputy ministers and the prime minister will receive monthly wage supplements of NIS 3,400 ($903), and Knesset members will receive NIS 150 ($40) per day for each day the Knesset plenum convenes to cover private car and gas costs.
Knesset members can opt to reject their pay increases.
The Kulanu Party, which is headed by Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, decided on Sunday that its members would waive the increase, and have signed and submitted a waiver to Knesset accountant Haim Avidror.
