Doctors to receive 23.5% wage increase

Doctors will receive a 23.5-percent wage increase, according to an arbitration Wednesday. The pay rise will be given in five stages, starting within 60 days and ending at the beginning of January 2011. The Treasury estimated that the increased pay will cost the economy NIS 1.6 billion a year, and called Wednesday's decision irresponsible in light of the current economic slowdown.