The Ashdod port reform is underway: After almost eight years of negotiations, an agreement was officially signed tonight between the state, the Ashdod port management and the workers. As part of the agreement, an efficiency plan will be implemented that will allow the port to compete with the private port next door.
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The agreement ensures substantial efficiency in all sectors and managerial flexibility that will allow the port to compete with the private ports currently being established. At the same time, the remaining employees received a variety of benefits; Among other things, 10 years of protection against collective redundancies will be given to second-generation non-founding employees; A dedicated fund of hundreds of millions of shekels will be established for the purpose of pension payments; A safety net for a premium of up to 70% and a dedicated fund of tens of millions of shekels will be established for the payment of the safety net for the premium; And the port’s welfare and culture budget will be increased by NIS 1.5 million.
Since its establishment 55 years ago, the port of Ashdod has become the largest port in Israel in terms of the volume of goods passing through it. The port employs more than a thousand workers in various sectors.
In recent years, lengthy negotiations have taken place to regulate the port’s continued operations in preparation for dealing with a private port located in Ashdod. Three weeks ago, final understandings were reached between the Histadrut and the workers’ committees, the port management and the Ministry of Finance.
Ashdod port Photo: Uriel Cohen
The agreement was signed at the Histadrut in the presence of Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David, Transportation Minister Miri Regev, Histadrut Transportation Union Chairman Avi Edri, Ministry of Transportation Director General Ofer Malka, Deputy Finance Commissioner Efi Malkin and Government Companies Coordinator Ohad Alkabetz , The management of the Ashdod Port Company – Chairman Orna Hozman-Bechor and CEO Moshe Jeanne, and the heads of the port committees. The ceremony was held in the open air under the instructions of the purple character.
Hozman-Bechor said: “The historic agreement marks the beginning of a period and a new horizon for the port of Ashdod. We turned forward in joint efforts to place the port of Ashdod at the forefront of the competition, as a central, innovative and leading port in front of the other ports.”
Jeanne: “Years of negotiations ended with the signing of the agreement thanks to the deep commitment of all parties involved. Now, we can continue the significant actions taken at the port ahead of the opening of the competition. In recent years, the Ashdod Port Board “Which includes investment in port infrastructure, a service and technology revolution and the transition to competitive business conduct.”
According to Bar-David, “The agreement helps to streamline the work of the port, prepare it to meet the challenges of competition, and at the same time take care of workers’ rights. In the reform of seaports, the Histadrut has once again proven its status as a balancing factor in the economy. We have shown how to negotiate.” Complexities that strengthen the Israeli economy and improve the service to citizens. ”
Regev said: “The reform in the port of Ashdod is underway. The efficiency agreement that has just been signed removed the barrier to the departure of the port of Ashdod to a new path. I am happy and excited that after eight years we managed to reach this status, “David and his staff, to the chairman of the Ashdod Port Company, Orna HaOzman-Bechor and her staff and to the workers’ committees.”
Chairman of the Histadrut Transport Workers’ Union Avi Edri: “We are closing the circle after eight years in a chain of excellent and challenging agreements, which on the one hand streamline the port’s work and on the other hand preserve and reward the port workers. We were able to honor the work of the veteran workers at the port through the best retirement plan in the economy, and maintain the economic and employment security of the workers who remain at the port. “