Minister of Labor and Welfare Eli Yishai is about to place
his proposed "Large Family Law" on the Knesset agenda. The
bill was prepared by his office during his previous term of
office. Yishai noted that since the Jewish nation is
currently suffering from so much assimilation, support of
large Jewish families is of prime national interest.
According to the proposal, families with four or more
children will receive numerous benefits. Among them: an
increased birth grant, amounting to 20% of the average wage,
a convalescence grant for women after childbirth at 16% of
the average wage, an increase of four weeks paid vacation for
working women on maternity leave, the addition of eligibility
tax points for working mothers, study grants for each child
between the ages of 3 and 6 within an educational framework
amounting to 5% of the average wage, and grants for each
child between 6 and 14 in educational frameworks amounting to
14% of the average wage.
The bill also includes special holiday grants in September
and April of 10% of the average wage, a 50% discount on
public transportation, an additional discount of 6% in day-
care centers, and an exemption from the costs of preventive
medical care.
Minister Yishai also proposes preferential consideration to
people from large families for placement in vocational
training courses sponsored by the Ministry of Labor and
Welfare and in all Housing and Construction Ministry housing
projects, as well as discounts for electricity and other
fees.
The bill is expected to encounter stiff opposition from the
Left which has spoken out against having large families.
