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27 Tammuz 5761 - July 18, 2001 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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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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