WAC-MAAN petitions the High Court of Justice to immediately reinstate work permit of workers’ committee chairman
developments in the struggle of Palestinian workers at Zarfaty Garage
01/11/2014
developments in the struggle of Palestinian workers at Zarfaty Garage
An Israeli employer of Palestinians inside a West Bank settlement, with the help of Israeli authorities, is exploiting the military permit regime in order stop his workers from unionizing, a High Court petition alleges. by Michael Schaffer Omer-man, 972mag, 15.9.14
On Monday, August 25, WAC MAAN lawyer Adv. Aya Bartenstein filed an additional petition in the Jerusalem Regional Labour Court against Zarfaty Garage management’s attempt to get the union out of the workplace.
Palestinian workers at Zarfati Garage in Mishur Edumim Settlement went on strike following the dismissal of the Union leader Hatem abu-Ziadeh.
The struggle at Zarfaty Garage is precedent setting. It is the first time that Palestinian workers in the West Bank settlements organize themselves to win a union voice and negotiate a collective agreement.
WAC-MAAN National Director Assaf Adiv to Att. Shlomo Yitzhaki, Commissioner of Labour Relations, Israel Ministry of Economy
Hatem Abu Ziadeh, who led the worker’s organization in Zarfati garage in Mishur Edumim settlement, was dismissed by management, who called on thugs and the police as well in order to break the following strike called by WAC-MAAN.
The Jerusalem Labor Court heard yesterday (July 27) WAC-Maan’s case against the Zarfati garage in the occupied West Bank. The garage recently fired the Workers’ Committee chairperson, Hatam Abu Ziyada.
The workers began the strike two days ago in light of the Zarfati management’s ongoing refusal to negotiate, which peaked with the firing of the head of their Workers’ Committee Hatem Abu Ziadeh.
In what can be seen as an important initial gain for Palestinian workers working in the Settlements and the independent Union Centre WAC MAAN, it was agreed today to start negotiations in the Zarfati Garage in Mishor Adumim and so the planned strike was canceled.
