Government report says jobless rate last month climbed to 9%, even after most support was removed; Delta variant may cause further losses

More than 200,000 people expected to stop receiving benefits after sweeping changes to the program voted into law

New legislation approved by Knesset will continue payments mostly only for those over 45; process briefly delayed as Yamina MK votes twice, says it was mistake, enraging opposition

Finance minister says move meant to address the large number of unfilled positions; certain benefits will still remain in place

TV says incoming finance minister plans to cancel furlough payments for under-45s in bid to force tens of thousands to go back to work

State to halt funds for those younger than 28, as many choose not to return to work even as the pandemic fades and economy gradually gets back on track

Over the past few months, there have been calls for Israel to set up a flexible unpaid-leave model, allowing employers to recruit workers back with partial state subsidies

Globes: On Wednesday, unemployment benefits will be cut by 10%, for payments from June 12, after jobless rate fell 10% in March

Amid coronavirus lockdowns, workers who lost their jobs generally got them back; this didn't happen with low-wage workers, whose connection to the labor market has weakened

Even as the economy almost fully reopens with the virus waning, low-paid workers are opting to stay home; demand for restaurant staff surges, Employment Service says