Postal workers began strike action Sunday

The union representing 7,000 Israel Postal Company employees decided last week to increase sanctions and declare full strike as from yesterday
 
Postal branches and postal banks were closed to the public yesterday making it impossible to carry out income tax or VAT payments, and mobile postal services to rural areas and diplomatic mail are shut down.
 
The workers are protesting the government's decision not to lower the rates of bulk mail to allow the company to be competitive with private companies that will be able to deliver such mail starting this summer.
 
They are also protesting the planned firing of 1,000 employees as the Postal Authority is subjected to competition.
 
Due to the strike it has been impossible to carry out income tax or VAT payments, and mobile postal services to rural areas and diplomatic mail have been shut down.
 
The Tax Authority said on Thursday it would postpone tax payments by the self-employed for March if postal sanctions continue.
 
The authority acceded to the request from Uriel Lynn President of the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce who asked that those who do not pay their taxes on time not be punished by the Tax Authority.