"We are examining the contractors' 20:80 campaigns and the shortage of foreign workers for the construction industry"

The State Comptroller and Ombudsman, Matanyahu Englman, opened the National Haredi Real Estate Conference in Jerusalem (25.5.2025). In his speech the Comptroller related to the high costs of housing and the examinations his office is conducting in the matter. 

According to him, the cost of living is one of the critical matters for Israeli citizens, but during wartime it does not attract the necessary attention, even though since the beginning of the war the cost of living has increased.

"My office is currently examining issues connected to the costs of housing in Israel. Within this framework, we are examining how the government is preparing for the shortage of foreign workers following the war, with the focus on the branches of the economy that rely upon foreign workers, including in the construction industry", said Comptroller Englman. "The non-arrival of a sufficient number of foreign workers is also liable to increase construction costs and the danger of employing illegals in their place".

"Furthermore, we are in the middle of an audit on the 80:20 campaigns offered by the contractors, and we are examining how the state is dealing with the risks involved in them. We shall also relate to the effect of the contractors' financing campaigns on the House Price Index in the report on the "Aspects in the taxation of real estate transactions".