Government to Vote on Salary Increases for Permanent Employees in IDF Combat and Technology Positions
Today, the government is expected to vote on the approval of an agreement between the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the Ministry of Finance that will result in increased salary increases for permanent employees in combat and technology positions. This announcement comes after the agreement was revealed in Globes, a leading Israeli news outlet.
The proposed decision states that permanent employees in the technology system will receive a 22% higher wage increase compared to those in frontline positions. For combat positions, the salary increase will be even steeper, reaching 35% more than frontline positions. It is important to note that the exact differentiation between different positions within these formations has not been finalized at this time.
However, not everyone is pleased with this proposal. Some permanent staff members have expressed their anger and concern, leading them to turn to the legal adviser to the government, Gali Beharev Miara, with a request to halt the decision-making process. The Defense Defense Association, along with hundreds of permanent servants and retirees, wrote to the ombudsman, attorney Roy Cohen-Youkbarger, stating their opposition to the proposed agreement. They argue that the proposal is another concession by the army at the expense of the rights of loyal and dedicated servants. They emphasize the need for alternative ways to remunerate permanent employees in the required professions without compromising the rights of the current and future permanent staff.
Previously, the salary of permanent employees in the IDF was linked to the salary agreements of state employees. Each military personnel’s salary was determined based on their rank and position within the civil service. However, this did not necessarily reflect the military priorities and unique characteristics of the permanent service. The proposed government resolution aims to address this discrepancy.
This move could potentially help the IDF retain quality personnel. By adjusting the salary structure to be more competitive, especially in technological professions, the IDF hopes to attract and retain top talent amidst increasing competition from the private sector. It is worth noting that this change will not affect the overall budget allocated for salary increases in the IDF; rather, it will provide a more flexible distribution of funds. The details of this division will be agreed upon within the coming 30 days by the salary department in the Treasury, the Ministry of Defense, and the IDF.
However, not everyone in the government supports this proposal. Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir opposes the agreement as it could impact the salary of police officers, which is currently tied to the salary of permanent employees in the IDF. The proposal acknowledges this concern and states that a monitoring committee will be established to determine how the salary update will apply to police personnel and the prison service.
With the government set to vote on the approval of this agreement today, the outcome will have significant implications for the salary structure and personnel retention within the IDF.