Scientific-Social progress: this morning the Histadrut and the Weizmann Institute signed an agreement, which will supervise the hiring of outsourced workers in the Institute. Over the last few months reports reached the Histadrut that workers’ rights in the Institute were violated, and, furthermore, the three members of the workers’ committee set up by the security guards to protect their labor rights were all fired within a few months.

This is the second time that the Histadrut has signed such an agreement. The first was signed a few months ago with the General Health Services (Klalit).

The agreement signed is unique and will enable the Weizmann Institute, with the aide of the Histadrut, to supervise the payment of salaries and social benefits of outsourced security workers. The Weizmann Institute hires tens of security guards who, following the agreement, will receive minimum wages, social rights and a pension fund.

The Histadrut is trying to sign such agreements with various employers’ groups in view of the fact that the contract workers are the most exploited workers in the Israeli workplace. Furthermore, enforcement of the law by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor does not deter the security agencies that in many cases do not pay minimum wages as stipulated by law. The security guards at the Weizmann Institute reported that not only did they not receive the salaries they were entitled to, but often were forced to pay fines of hundreds and even thousands of shekels, even though these fines are forbidden by law. The fines were collected from the guards due to so-to-speak “disciplinary violations”, such as being late for a work shift.

In order to see to it that the next generation of workers will be protected, the Weizmann Institute will appoint a legal advisor, who will supervise the Security Agencies and review all payslips. The report that the legal advisor will prepare will also be presented to the Histadrut. In addition, it was agreed that the Security Agency will pay the minimum rate of 28 shekels an hour legally required to cover all social benefits and pension.

Furthermore, the agreement also states that if the salary is not paid according to the lawful rate, the agency will be in fundamental breech of the agreement, and the Wiezmann Institute will be free to cancel all connections with the Security Agency who supplies the workers.

The Histadrut, of course, was pleased with the agreement. Sima Ramati, head of the Security and Sanitary Workers Branch in the Histadrut said this morning: "I hope that this will be the first such treaty, and will lead to agreements with all the institutes of higher education. These Institutes are entrusted with the education of the next generation, and can lead to a change in thinking about the rights of disadvantaged workers".