A new collective agreement for physicians will begin in January 2025, covering the next year. This agreement aims to address the immediate needs of the public health system following the war initiated by Hamas in October 2023. Key provisions include:
- Salary increase: A 9.5% raise, phased in over three steps.
- Additional payments for priority clinical specialties: Physicians in rehabilitation, mental health, and forensic medicine will receive an additional NIS 6 000 ($1679.62) per month, plus a NIS 12 000 ($3359.24) grant in two installments.
- Improved work-life balance: Extra vacation and recovery days.
- Transportation: Transport for physicians before and after night shifts.
- Additional payments for physicians working in the most remote hospital (in Eilat): Entitlement to a monthly salary supplement of about 20%, in accordance with the 1991 collective agreement.
- Reducing waiting times and expanding medical availability: Allowing remote work for some specialties and providing incentives for senior staff to work afternoon and night shifts. In psychiatry, the addition of shorter shifts aims to help reduce patient wait times.