israel’s self-Employed Face Mounting Challenges After War
Israel’s self-employed population is grappling with a multitude of challenges in the wake of the recent conflict, highlighting the urgent need for increased government support and social safety nets.
A newly established Knesset lobby, dedicated to advocating for the rights of autonomous workers, has called for urgent action to address the growing crisis.
“For years, Israel has failed to provide a proper social security network for this crucial economic group,” stated MK Naama Lazimi, Chairman of the Lobby. ”The self-employed are the backbone of the Israeli economy, yet they are often left vulnerable and unsupported.”
The war has exacerbated existing difficulties faced by self-employed individuals, with many reporting significant drops in income and increased financial insecurity. A recent survey by the Israeli Institute of Democracy revealed that 58% of self-employed households experienced a reduction in income, compared to 31% of employed households.
katti Bloomberg, an independant lecturer and mother of three, shared her personal struggle. “I live from my lectures,” she explained. “But after the war, I started experiencing post-traumatic stress attacks, making it impossible for me to travel to some locations for work.”
Petal Gal, a freelance tech worker, faced similar challenges. He was denied state refunds for cancelled meetings and orders after his father’s passing, highlighting the lack of support available to self-employed individuals during difficult times.
The war has also led to a surge in anxiety among self-employed workers, with 18% expressing fear of losing their livelihoods, compared to 7% of employed individuals. This figure underscores the precarious nature of self-employment and the need for greater financial security.MK Osher Shekel, also a member of the lobby, emphasized the need for concrete action.”We are working to implement measures that will enable self-employed individuals to continue working and maintain a stable income,” he stated.”This includes promoting policies that provide financial assistance and support during times of crisis.”
The establishment of the self-employed lobby marks a significant step towards addressing the needs of this frequently enough-overlooked segment of the Israeli workforce.The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the government will take meaningful action to ensure the well-being and economic security of Israel’s self-employed population.
Israel’s Self-Employed Struggle post-War: An Expert Speaks
Time.news Editor: Welcome, thank you for joining us today. israel’s self-employed are facing unprecedented challenges after the recent conflict. Could you shed some light on the situation and its impact on this crucial segment of the economy?
Expert: Certainly. The war has severely exacerbated existing difficulties faced by Israel’s self-employed population.As per a recent survey by the Israeli Institute of Democracy, [[3]] 58% of self-employed households experienced a reduction in income compared to 31% of employed households. This speaks volumes about the fragility of their financial situation, wich was already precarious even before the war.
Time.news Editor: What are some of the specific challenges they are facing?
Expert: Many self-employed individuals, like Ms. Bloomberg, a lecturer we spoke to, are experiencing post-traumatic stress directly impacting their ability to work. Additionally, incidents like Mr. Gal, a freelance tech worker, facing denial of state refunds for canceled projects after his father’s passing highlight the lack of adequate support systems for self-employed individuals during difficult times. [[1]] This
situation is further compounded by a surge in anxiety, with 18% of self-employed workers fearing losing their livelihoods versus 7% of employed individuals.
Time.news Editor: The establishment of a self-employed Knesset lobby is a positive step. what impact do you foresee this having?
Expert: The lobby’s formation is indeed a important advancement. MK Naama Lazimi, the Chairman of the Lobby, rightly pointed out that self-employed individuals, who form the backbone of the Israeli economy, have been historically underserved.