After unionizing with MAAN – Workers Association, the employees discovered that for extended periods they had been employed via a manpower contractor, in violation of the law requiring direct employment after nine months of contracted work. Following repeated appeals by MAAN, the hospital announced retroactive recognition of the workers as direct employees of the institution, effective nine months after their initial employment through the contractor.
However, a thorough review of pay slips and work hour records conducted by the union revealed serious violations of workers’ rights, chief among them:
- Failure to transfer pension contributions: while the employee’s share was deducted from wages, the amounts were never transferred to the pension fund.
- Non-payment for overtime work, especially for night shifts and work on Saturdays.
MAAN conducted an extended correspondence with both the hospital and the contractor in an effort to secure compensation for the workers. After attempts to reach an agreed-upon solution failed, MAAN, in agreement with the employees it represents, decided to take the matter to the Labour Court.
The first lawsuit was filed on Wednesday, May 21st, by attorneys Abir Jubran and Aya Bartenstein. The suit demands compensation for the employee for unpaid overtime and the failure to deposit pension contributions. The total claim exceeds 100,000 NIS.
Attorney Abir Jubran stated:
“MAAN Workers Association will continue to support the employees of Hod Amal until they fully realize their rights and receive all payments owed to them by law.”
