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NEWS
Bill Passes Preliminary Reading: Baal Teshuva May Not be
Fired for Refusing to Work on Shabbos
by Eliezer Rauchberger
A bill enabling an employee who used to work on Shabbos but
later did teshuva to inform his employers that he
will no longer work on Shabbos was passed at a preliminary
reading in the Knesset on 13 Tammuz. The bill was submitted
by Rachamim Malul of Shas. According to the bill, once an
employee has given such notice, the employer may not fire
him for this reason.
The Government supported the proposal by a large majority.
21 Knesset members were in favor; only 4 opposed: from
Meretz and Shinui.
According to current law, before starting a job, a person
may inform his employers that he doesn't work on Shabbos and
holidays for religious reasons. The employer cannot refuse
to employ him for that reason. However, current law does not
prevent one who changed his lifestyle and wants to stop
working on Shabbos from being dismissed.
Justice Minister Meir Shetreet supported this proposal and
noted that it protects the elementary right of a person to
exercise his beliefs and to conduct his life accordingly.
"It makes no sense to oppose such legislation and to compel
a religious person to work on Shabbos," Shetreet said.
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