THE DEPOSIT LAW

The Deposit Law, which came into force in May 2017, was enacted in order to make it difficult to employ asylum seekers, and to apply a rigid mechanism of economic pressure that will force them to leave Israel. According to the law, employers of asylum seekers are required to deduct 20% of their employees’ basic salary and deposit the money in a special account, in addition to a sum of 16%, deducted from the employers. Asylum seekers will only have access to the funds deposited in this account upon their departure from Israel.

This law constitutes a grave violation of asylum seekers’ labor rights, and its effects are socially and economically destructive. It has a particularly negative impact on women, children, and people with disabilities, and since its commencement, humanitarian distress has increased among asylum seekers’ communities.

On April 23, 2020, the High Court ordered the repeal of the Deposit Law, arguing that it was unconstitutional. Supreme Court justices rejected state statements that the law was found to be effective in eradicating the infiltrators ‘motivation to immigrate to Israel and ruled that the directive to cut infiltrators’ wages was illegal.

mishan

THE DEPOSIT LAW