Worthwhile being a MK: salaries and benefits

Dozens of new MKs will join the ranks of the upcoming Knesset; they struggled, fought, influenced and did everything to get there. But is the compensation actually worth it?

Well, a MK's salary is 38,250 shekels gross per month, in addition, every MK receives a leased vehicle according to his desire, from six options offered. An annual budget of 68 thousand shekels of what is called 'creating contact with the public', is available for each MK, with this budget they are allowed to hire an office outside the Knesset parliamentary, purchase a laptop, furniture and the like.

They are also entitled to reimbursement of clothing expenses which reaches the amount of 4250 shekels per year, and a similar sum for the study of foreign languages. MKs are entitled to another mobile phone with a budget of 27,500 shekels per year, subscription for two newspapers, reimbursement for expenses of two phones at home (one of them serves as a fax), WCA of 103 shekels a day (for the day spent long hours in the Knesset), and the shipment of 15 thousand postal items a year.

The MK can also travel abroad frequently. If a parliamentary delegation will fly – the travel and stay abroad will be financed by the Knesset, but even if they were on a official information mission, the Foreign Ministry is to sponsor the flight and stay. The MK's also receive plenty of oversea visit orders from foreign countries, international organizations, Jewish enterprises and the like.

Each Knesset MK gets a two bedroom lodge which includes services and showers. The rooms at the lodge are furnished, and they have three desktop computers and a printer. Recently it was decided to equip the rooms with a mini-bar refrigerated and TV screen size of 32 inches.

Each MK has two assistants (Committee heads are entitled to three assistants). Salaries of assistants range from 8350 to 9500 shekels. In a nutshell, it is not bad to be a MK.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!