The Committee for Ministers deciding on legislation has accepted a proposal by Knesset member Amir Peretz and agreed to increase the mimumum wage in Israel to 4,600 shekels. The decision which was made despite the opposition iof the finance minster will see a hike in minimum wage take place gradually through three stages reaching the new total of 4,600 in 15 months time. The former Labour party leader told the committee that 1 million woprkers lived below the poverty line in israel. Peretz sought to calm the nerves of employers saying the increase in wage would not lead to a crises saying that here would be time for employers to adjust to the change.