The workers, some of whom have been employed at the factory for over ten years, do not receive pay slips or social benefits such as paid public holidays, pension, vacation, days of sick leave, etc. Furthermore, if they have no pay slips they do not have any evidence of their work for purposes of compensation in case of a work accident or tenure calculations if being dismissed.
Workers’ earnings are far below the minimum wage, ranging between NIS 90 per day for a worker new to the job and NIS 200 per day for a veteran worker (note that a factory working day constitutes eight and a half hours’ of work, which means that according to the minimum wage law, the minimum wage for such a day should be NIS 196.50).
Since February, 2013 WAC activists from Jerusalem organized several meetings with the workers and had them sign membership cards and join the union. The workers took this step in order to tackle the difficult situation they are facing in this plant. According to the law, an employer must agree to hold elections as soon as one-third of the workers have signed up to join the union, and thus, WAC-MAAN became the representing trade union in the work place.
According to the workers’ account, rainwater drips into their workplace via a leaky roof and the cold is unbearable in the winter, while in the summer the heat is insufferable because no means of cooling are available. It should be noted that the area in question is one where summer temperatures can reach over 40°C. There is also neglect and contempt with regards safety. The rainwater that leaks into the production hall poses a constant threat of accidents due to the presence of high voltage electricity. Workers are not provided with gloves, goggles or work clothes. The owners of the factory skimp on “unnecessary” expense in order to keep their hands on a larger portion of the profits.
The workers, the majority of whom are residents of the West Bank City of Jericho, say that some of the factories at the Mishor Adumim Industrial Park do pay wages in accordance with the law and have adapted management to legislation requiring them to respect workers’ rights according to Israeli law. But many others including Levi Metal and Wood do not respect the law and continue to mistreat their workers. Note that according to the Supreme Court decision on the Givat Ze’ev case in 2007, Israeli employers in areas where settlements exist are obliged to accord rights and wages to the Palestinian workers they engage that do not discriminate between them and Israelis working for the same employer, as outlined in the relevant legal agreements. This decision was backed by an agreement reached between Maaleh Adumim Municipality and the Palestinian workers employed by it. {http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/west-bank-settlement-to-apply-israeli-law-to-palestinian-workers-1.394461|see here}
The fact that the workers in Levi Metal and Wood have joined WAC and set up a Workers Committee reflects their refusal to continue working in degrading and illegal conditions. In the past, the workers tried to apply to the Histadrut but were met with apathy and indifference. Their appeal to the independent union WAC Maan comes in the wake of the union’s unique role with the Sali’t Quarry workers’ struggle and the Extal Aluminum plant in Mishor Adumim Industrial Zone {http://wac-maan.org.il/en/article__234/the_salit_workers_struggle_-_achievements_and_limitations|see more}
WAC coordinators in Jerusalem, Erez Wagner and Ahmad Fahum, accompany the union and maintain direct contact with the workers. They report determination on the part of the bulk of the workers, to adhere to union procedure. 16 out of 20 workers have signed WAC application forms and the Union is currently completing the Committee’s elections procedure and starting negotiations for a collective agreement. WAC is confident that the unity of the workers and their support and confidence in the democratic way the struggle is led will bring positive results.
Regular updates and information can be found on WAC’s website, or on its Facebook page Here.
E-mail: maan@maan.org.il
or roni@hanitzoz.org
Telephone: 972-504-330038