Finance Minister Shukri Bishara said on Thursday that the government´s budget for 2019 will be affected as the salaries of high-level employees will drop after the Israeli side decided to deduct part of the Palestinian clearing funds recently.
Bishara said at a press conference held by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Riyad al-Malki in Ramallah today that Israel´s deduction of Palestinian clearing funds will affect the government budget for 2019, and will increase the deficit.
Bishara confirmed that the government will pay the salaries of employees this month, but high salaries of staff will decline, indicating that this issue will be dealt with the rationing of expenses and the transfer of some commitments, which will also affect the growth of the economy. Adding that the salaries of employees will be paid at a rate of 80% as a maximum, and we study the distribution of the full fairness, and there is room to borrow from banks within reasonable.
He said that the salaries of employees will be dealt with by "one ruler", and we will pay the salaries of prisoners and editors and martyrs, in accordance with the instructions of President Mahmoud Abbas.
Bishara said that the possibility of reducing taxes on Palestinian goods and products is under consideration. He pointed out that there are difficult days will pass on the Palestinian people in the coming weeks.
