JERUSALEM, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Israel cut working hours per week by one hour starting from April, making it 42 working hours per week, local media reported Sunday.

The move is in accordance with an extension order signed by Israeli Minister of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services Haim Katz, said Globe.

The shortening of the work week became possible, thanks to a general collective agreement reached a year ago between Avi Nissenkorn, chairman of Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel), and Shraga Brosh, president of Manufacturers Association of Israel.

Salaries will not be cut, and the hourly wage will increase as it will be calculated on the basis of 182 working hours per month instead of 186 hours.

It is the first time since 1995 that workers in Israel benefited from a cut in working hours.

The report also said that the shorter working day each week will be determined by employers, taking into account requests and needs of employees.

It was an important step towards the goal of 40-hour working week in Israel, the report quoted Nissenkorn as saying.