When she became ill in July 2024, her Palestinian supervisor fired her illegally and then annulled her work permit. Intisar is a single mother to three children and the sole provider for her extended family, losing her job was not an option for her. She approached MAAN, and with the latter’s help she gathered the courage to fight back for her job. She even succeeded in distancing her supervisor and disabling him from meddling in her affairs. This is an important lesson for every worker, especially for Palestinian working women.
When the war broke out in October 2023, the factory continued employing Palestinian workers since it was classified as an essential company. This allowed Intisar to keep working throughout the year. On July 31, 2024, she was stung on both her eyelids and cheek during work, but she kept working. The next day her face was completely swollen and hurting, and she couldn’t go to work. She called her supervisor to inform him and even sent him a picture of her swollen face. His response was: “If you don’t come to work today, we won’t let you continue working here, you’ll be dismissed.”
Intisar called the supervisor a couple of days later asking to return to work, but he said he fired her and annulled her work permit. Even after she her supervisor a medical report, he insisted that she was fired for good. When she recovered and wanted to return to work, she was blocked at the checkpoint, and the guards informed her that her work permit had been revoked.
On August 12, Intisar turned to the MAAN office in Jerusalem for help. During the inquiry proceedings at MAAN, it became clear that she feared her supervisor, who had previously made an inappropriate proposition to her at work. MAAN’s representative explained to Intisar that according to the Israeli law, her supervisor’s actions were in the realm of sexual harassment, and that she could file a complaint. She was hesitant to file such a complaint, but asked MAAN to assist her in gaining her job back because her family’s livelihood depended on it.
Dana Pomerantz and Razan Mashahara, from MAAN, who were in contact with Intisar, reached out to the company’s legal representative. The company acknowledged that the way her employment was terminated was improper, and agreed to her immediate return to work. The company also ensured with the Civil Administration the renewal of her work permit, and within a few days, she received a confirmation that she could return. Furthermore, MAAN inquired whether there is a designated officer responsible for preventing such harassment in the factory. They also informed Intisar that she has the right to file a complaint if any further incidents of sexual harassment occur, either toward her or any other employee at the company.
The story didn’t end there. Intisar was hesitant to return to work due to her fear of retaliation by her supervisor and had multiple conversations with Pomeranz and Mushahara, who encouraged her to return to work, which she finally did. But on her first day back, she called from the factory in tears, saying that what she feared was happening. She described how her supervisor was mistreating her, assigning her heavy physical tasks that were beyond her ability, and instructing other workers not to help her. She also reported that he was spreading malicious rumors about her at the workplace.
The situation was difficult. Dana, Razan and Intisar discussed the different options available to her, weighing the benefits and risks of each one. In the end, Intisar decided she would not give in to her supervisor’s bullying. MAAN contacted the factory’s legal counsel again, detailing the complex situation that Intisar was facing.
The employer’s response was very positive and practical. The company, via its legal representative committed to do everything in their power to ensure Intisar’s safety and dignity at work, and the supervisor was instructed not to have any further contact with her. Intisar kept her job, and reported to MAAN that she was finally feeling safe.
MAAN sees this story as an example of how a union can stand up to workers’ rights and guarantee that the bosses respect the law. We also note that for a success story to occur, you need a courageous and strong worker who refuses to be bullied. It is the combination of this bravery of a woman worker and the active engagement of a union that was needed to make this case end as it did.
