By JONAH MANDEL
The government unanimously approved on Sunday a five percent cut to the ministers' monthly wages, including the prime minister's, to be implemented by the end of 2010.
"Alongside other measures taken by the state in order to ease the economy through the financial crisis and slowdown, the government ministers are committed to setting a personal example in saving public funds. By making the decision, the government is recognizing the scale of the crisis and identifying with the nation's workers," Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz said in a statement Sunday.
Knesset Finance Committee chairman Rabbi Moshe Gafni (United Torah Judaism) called the move "positive and correct," but said that it would not suffice in light of the current financial uncertainty, and all "senior figures," including members of the Knesset, should undergo a similar wage reduction.
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