Israel Matzav

Only in Israel....

Israel's Foreign Ministry workers have gone on strike, shutting down the country's embassies and consulates around the world.

The strike is the latest development in the nearly two-year old work dispute declared by the workers for improved salaries and work conditions. Seven months of mediation efforts exploded on March 4 when the workers rejected a Finance Ministry proposal.  

Once the mediation blew-up, the workers resumed crippling sanctions that were put on hold during the mediation period.  A number of high-profile visits to Israel were cancelled as a result of the sanctions, as well as Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's planned trip to Mexico, Colombia and Panama next month. In addition, Pope Francis' planned visit in May is in doubt because of the work sanctions.

A statement put out by the workers' committee said that the workers declared an "open ended" strike "in protest of the employment conditions for Israeli diplomats and because of the draconian decision by the Treasury to cut the workers' salaries."

"Today, for the first time in Israel's history, the foreign Ministry will be closed and no work will be done in any sphere under the ministry's authority," the statement read.

The decision to strike was slammed by Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman, who called it a "miserable" decision that shows the worker's committee has "lost its head."

"This move has no benefit, and will only cause more damage to the ministry's workers," he said. "I am sorry that these irresponsible steps will come at the expense of the country's citizens, and as contacts are underway with the Treasury and in the middle of mediation."

Liberman said "we will do everything possible to limit the damage caused to the state and its citizens."

 As a result of the strike, no consular services will be available, Israel will not be represented in any international gathering or forum, its ambassadors abroad will not work, and services needed for everybody from new immigrants to employers bringing in foreign workers will be brought to a halt. 

According to the statement, the ministry's doors will be locked from Sunday afternoon to everyone, including the ministry's management and political leadership.

I think we're actually better off without anyone at the UN - who needs them? As to the rest of it, this is the only country in the world where the diplomatic corps could go on strike. I have no idea how much money these people make or what kind of perks they have, but I suspect they are far better than yours or mine. 

Labels: foreign ministry strike, Israel's Foreign Ministry

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:01 PM