ISRAEL: Are we forced to launch a start - up ?

Seen in Tel Aviv

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

Everyone is talking about the possibility of Israel attacking the Iranian nuclear facilities but Israelis should concentrate on a different problem we are going to face with the beginning of September. Prices are going up due to the raise in VAT (from 16 - 17%). When you are going to buy some groceries these days, look at the price for a kilo tomatoes and you will faint. Israeli economy sites are predicting a drastic price increase for fruit and tomatoes after Rosh Hashana. 

I don't want to sound too pessimistic but there is more bad news coming up: Thousands of Israelis lost their jobs in the months of June and July. The terrible news is: More and more companies are going to lay off staff. Not only the prices for groceries are going up but also the unemployment rate. No matter whether people work in hightech or if they are academics. 

My advice may sound a bit off but in case you are a new immigrant, look into the possibility whether you can launch your own start - up or small business. It doesn't matter in what field but if you have a great idea you could sell, look into it and try taking some action. Especially when you are older than 50 years. Israel is a start - up nation but it doesn't always have to be computer programmes or finance. There are plenty of people setting up a small business selling homemade chocolate or self - created children's books. 

No one should only rely on the company he works for but start doing something on his own. This is the sad reality we live in but, on the other hand, it does give us a chance creating something on our own.

Israeli hotel industry is looking for 1500 new workers

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The Israeli hotel industry is looking for approx. 1500 new employees such as kitchen and security staff or waiters. However, the jobs are on a temporary basis: Only during the days of Pessach. 

Local unemployment offices are going to send many of their unemployed clients to hotels in need of staff. These available jobs are usually not for tourists but unemployed Israelis who may have a chance finding a permanent job.

Updated Strike News

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Israel's public and government services will continue their strike tomorrow (Sunday). For a few days now, the public sector has been on strike as the trade union "Histadrut" wants thousands of workers from temp agencies being accepted into firm jobs. For many years, Israeli government offices have been employing clerks sent by temp agencies but the government is not willing to give those workers a real contract after a few years. The costs would be too high when suddenly thousands of workers from those agencies get a real job contract. Let alone all the rights government employees enjoy. At the moment, Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz and "Histadrut" boss Ofer E'ini are negotiating again. However, it looks as if tomorrow will be another day without banks, post offices, municipality services and no garbage will be picked up. 

The good news, however, is that the trains will be running. The bad news is that, from tomorrow, the bus companies EGGED and DAN are going to join the strike. So, now you have time to figure out how you are getting to work tomorrow.:-)))

The streets of Tel Aviv when no garbage is being picked up

Streets in downtown Tel Aviv

Photos: Miriam Woelke

How much rent do you pay in Jerusalem / Tel Aviv ?

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B”H   

On one of my German blogs I have been writing quite a lot about rents in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. How much money one needs to invest and the result was that Jerusalem ist still a lot cheaper than Tel Aviv. I just had a look at Israel's popular site (jobs, buy & rent apartments, car sales, etc.) "YAD 2" and I immediately became jealous. 

I haven't mentioned anything on SHEARIM so far but now you know: I have decided to stay in Tel Aviv and not moving back to Jerusalem. Why ? I guess that my reasons would make up their own article. 
So far, I have been living in a tiny place and soon I am going to search for a bigger apartment. At least 1,5 - 2 rooms. Renting a 2 - room - apartment in Tel Aviv costs a small fortune. Of course, it depends on the area and I am definitely not choosing the most expensive neighbourhood. My favourite neighbourhood is Florentin which is not cheap either. But it is still considered Tel Aviv - South and cheaper than the direct city center or the northern parts. 

A 2 - room - apartment in most parts of Tel Aviv costs you about 3000 Shekels (approx. 790 US $). It would be of an advantage if you could invest 900 - 1000 Dollar (3500 - 3800 Shekels). The rent does not include water, electricity and all kinds of other expenses. 

In Jerusalem you can easily find a 2 - room - apartment for 2500 Shekels (approx. 660 US $). For what I am going to pay for a 2 - room - apartment in Tel Aviv, I would easily find a 3 - room - apartment in Jerusalem. Not in the city center but in most neighbourhoods around. Even in the expensive national religious neighbourhood of Kiryat Moshe. 

My advice is: Don't read all those English sites offering apartments but go to the Hebrew ones ! English speakers are only getting ripped off from other English speakers. You think there are no apartments ? Not when you go to the Hebrew sites and look around. Even plenty of cheaper apartments are available. Here, for instance, are the apartment offers for Jerusalem from today:

http://www.yad2.co.il/Nadlan/rent.php?AreaID=7&City=&HomeTypeID=&fromRooms=1&untilRooms=3&fromPrice=&untilPrice=&PriceType=1&FromFloor=&ToFloor=&EnterDate=&Info=

However, take into consideration that salaries in Tel Aviv can be much higher than in Jerusalem. Don't rely on the government's published figures of the Israeli average income. I know plenty of people who have to live on much less than statistic figures tell you. 

There are many more jobs in Tel Aviv but the costs of living are much higher than in Jerusalem. Those moving to Tel Aviv from other parts of the country, many times, start working at "Super Sushi" or "Frank's Sausages". Stupid jobs in order to pay the rent. At least until one finds a better job or starts studying. The stupid jobs have the advantage to get to know people and build up a network. Thus you will get to know the cities secrets (You won't find them on Wikipedia !) and hear about other jobs and apartments.  

I am also stuck in one of those stupid jobs but this is going to change to the opposite. On the other hand, my stupid job doesn't want to let me go so easily and is begging me to stay. At least a few times a week if I cannot come every day. 

I don't know yet but its money and all Tel Avivim need money. Despite all costs and running around, at the moment, I am much happier at the coast and cannot imagine moving back to Jerusalem. At least not for the time being. 

216,000 Unemployed in Israel

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Israel's daily MAARIV is mentioning a new increase in the unemployment rate within the next three months. At the moment, 216,000 Israelis are without a job and it is expected that another 10,000 Israelis will join the lines in front of the unemployment offices and welfare. The unemployment rate now is 6,8% but expected to rise up to 8% until 2008.

We are always being told that Israel's economy is blossoming but it depends on whom you ask. Which field and where in the country those companies are located. The north and south definitely have a much bigger problem and less jobs than the coastal line or Jerusalem. Nevertheless, Jerusalem with an unemployment rate of 8,2% is the forerunner of the country. Haifa has an unemployment rate of 6,7% and Tel Aviv suffers from 5,4% unemployment.

Begging near Tel Aviv's Central Bus Station

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Future predictions don't seem so great and sometimes it looks as if more and more Israelis should start using their creativity and start their own business. Not everybody is able to do that but in some areas people just don't seem to have another choice.

Cactus fruits (Sabras) in Israel

Photos: Miriam Woelke

In Jerusalem

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I am in Jerusalem at the moment taking care of the bureaucracy regarding my separation leave from the bakery. I am going a write a longer article about Israeli laws and what kind of rights do you have when you quit a job. However, one thing I can tell you for sure: Insurance agents are rip offs if not criminals.

Your rights as an Israeli Employee

B"H

Once you have made Aliyah and joined the Israeli workforce (as a citizen), you should be aware of your rights. I admit that, many times, I wasn't aware of my rights and when you ask your employer, you sometimes don't get any clear answer. Or he may throw at you all kinds of excuses he can get away with.

I am leaving my bakery job in Jerusalem at the end of this month, as I am moving to the northern part of the country, and now I have to deal with the "Pitzuim - Separation Payment" issue. 

Regarding all kinds of rights on the Israeli jobmarket, I found some interesting informative links I would like to share with you.

 First of all, here is a detailed list with your rights as an Israeli employee:

http://www.israemploy.net/Salary_Surveys/

The obligations of your employer:

http://www.btl.gov.il/English%20Homepage/Insurance/Employee/Pages/default.aspx

http://jobmob.co.il/blog/quit-israeli-job-severance-pay/

Additional information:

http://www.aliyahjobcenter.org/page.php?id=60

What says the law ?
The following link is in HEBREW !

http://www.ovdim.org.il/Page10917.asp

The Israeli Ministry of Labour:

http://www.tamas.gov.il/NR/exeres/B0B48981-357D-446F-AFAC-91A358E93C87.htm

Eli Yishai versus Foreign Worker Children

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The Israeli Minister of the Interior, Eli Yishai, is justifying his decision of deporting many children of Israel's foreign workers. I totally support Yishai and anyone who is so much in favour of the foreign workers should consider a few more issues and especially look into the future:


1. In case they and their kids stay and receive citizenship:
Thousands of foreign workers will then be on the dole.


2. What Israel gets is mainly uneducated people.


3. In case they receive citizenship:
Thousands of foreign workers will then ask their families to follow them to Israel. Our country will be flooded with people who have absolutely no busienss in Israel.


4. Just because the foreign worker children grow up speaking Hebrew doesn't make them to Israelis ! Israel's foreign workers have NO intention whatsoever integrating into society let alone convert to Judaism. All they are looking for is a better economical life in order to escape poverty in Africa, Thailand, China, Russia or the Philippines.


5. Importing more and more Gentiles is a spiritual danger to the State of Israel !


6. Those who are still in favour:
Why don't you move to south Tel Aviv or adopt a foreign worker into YOUR home ? Not only talking in favour of them but actually do something and accept them into YOUR own neighbourhood !




Further Links:


Daily Life in South Tel Aviv


Foreign Workers stream into Israel

What is more important: Work or Prayer ?

B"H

We have a new baker at the bakery. He has only started to work a few days ago but a new problem is already coming up:

The  new worker is national religious and is supposed to start at 6am. He claims that he can only start later, as he wants to say his Shacharit (morning prayer) together with a Minyan (10 Jewish men) in a Synagogue.

My question is: What is more important ?

Going to work on time and keeping the job or prayer ?

The bakery does have a solution for him: First of all, he has time for Shacharit until 10am or so. Secondly, there is a Synagogue (of Rabbi Mordechai Sharabi) right behind our building and he could quickly jump over to pray. There is no point in showing up for work too late when the goods have to be baked on time.

Anyone has the right halachic advice (incl. source) ?

Looking for a job ? GOOGLE is hiring !

B"H

Have you ever dreamt about working for GOOGLE ?

The good news is: Google is hiring.
The bad news is: ... Well, read the interview questions first.:-)

http://blog.seattleinterviewcoach.com/2009/02/140-google-interview-questions.html


Further Link:

http://www.propeller.com/story/2009/11/04/15-google-interview-questions-that-will-make-you-feel-stupid-goog/

If all this doesn't sound insane to you - hurry and send in your CV !

For the first time in Israel: A Union for Hightech Employees

B"H

The national trade union "Histadrut" is not everything in Israel anymore. More and more job branches organize themselves on an independent basis in order to fight for their rights.

After thousands of Israeli hightech workers have been fired, Bezalel Greenberg got the idea of founding a trade union for the hightech field. So far, no one has ever cared about those employees. Greenberg, 30, says that people working in the Israeli hightech field have to be young. The managers are only between 28 - 34 years old and most employees are under 30 years old. "As soon as you are over 30 or even turning 40, you are old and passed on to other jobs such as teaching the younger staff members".

In the past, Israeli hightech employees earned about 17,000 Shekels a month but now, salaries are going down. Especially when you work per hour. The companies do whatever they want and if you don't agree you are just getting fired.

As most new immigrants, I used to work at the hightech industry as well. This is what many people do after making Aliyah. However, I just earned between 25 - 32 Shekels per hour; depending on the shift. "Customer Service" is what we all did. I was actually lucky, as I didn't work for IDT and I wasn't selling anything.

Every day I went to work but hated this job. The other staff members and the job itself. How the company ripped off the customers who had signed up for making cheap phone calls on the Internet.

The new union is definitely a good idea and hopefully not just a small club of some guys getting together and having a beer.

Unemployment rate up

B"H

The unemployment rate in Israel is up again: 7.8 %.
In April, another 6000 workers were laid off. The latest statistic says that Israel has 234.000 people looking for a new job at the moment.