Thousands of Reservists and Workers to Receive Back Pay for Security-Related Absences
Thousands of Israeli reservists and workers will receive back pay for days missed due to security concerns and Home Front Command directives during Operation "Lion's Roar." Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labor, Yariv Levin, signed an extension order mandating employers to pay wages for these absences, as stipulated in a collective agreement between the Histadrut labor federation and the business sector.
The directive applies to absences between March 1, 2026, and June 30, 2026, caused by security situations and Home Front Command orders. It is not a blanket bonus but a payment arrangement for employees who missed work under specific emergency circumstances.
Eligible employees include parents who stayed home to care for children due to school closures, provided the other parent was not also absent, with exceptions for single parents or when the other parent could not provide care. Employees of closed educational institutions are also covered. The order further extends to individuals with disabilities unable to reach safe rooms as per guidelines, and those assisting disabled relatives. Certain contract workers are also included.
Employers who have not yet paid eligible employees for these days must do so with the September salary, paid in early October. Daily wages will be calculated based on the regular net daily wage, capped at NIS 1,540 per day, with part-time employees receiving a proportional amount. Employees who had vacation days deducted for these absences will have them reinstated if they are deemed eligible.
This order retroactively regulates payments for security-related absences rather than providing a new bonus. The move is linked to a compensation mechanism for employers, with the Tax Authority offering avenues for businesses financially impacted by "Lion's Roar" to claim compensation for expenses, including wage payments, thereby connecting the obligation to pay employees with potential employer compensation.
