The Histadrut's chairman, Arnon Bar-David, and the wage commissioner, Kobi Bar - Natan, in coordination with local government chairman Haim Bibbas, signed a collective agreement today (Thursday) regulating how public sector workers are employed during the closure period. The understandings will help maintain the level of service required while adhering to restrictions designed to reduce the transmission of the virus and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The agreement continues the series of agreements signed since the crisis in March and is another expression of the public sector's shared responsibility to combat the crisis.
The agreement will take effect from today, September 17, and will apply to all employers in the public sector, including government ministries, local authorities, religious councils, some government companies, higher education institutions, and statutory corporations.
According to the agreement, in accordance with regulations approved this morning by the government, 50% of the workforce in the public sector will continue to work in the standard format, subject to the new restrictions. The rest of the employees will be employed from home or in other employment formats subject to what is specified in the agreement. Employers will work to increase the number of employees employed while changing the work arrangements to maintain the scope of service provided to the public and ensure compliance with the Ministry of Health guidelines. Among other things, employers will be able to separate groups of workers and change regular working hours in a manner that is adapted to the restrictions of activity and in accordance with the needs related to the operation of each body during the emergency period.
The agreement in the public sector is valid until the end of the Sukkot holiday, October 11, when there are only seven working days during this period. The employees who, despite the efforts, will not be employed during the period of the agreement, due to the various restrictions, will be under a special arrangement under the employer's auspices and will be entitled to a payment of 70% of their salary. The employer will make provisions for the payment to the pension and training funds to maintain the continuity of the employees' rights.
In parallel with these understandings, the chairman of the Histadrut and the wage commissioner also regulated the assistants' pattern of employment in the kindergartens during the closure period. The assistants will continue to work using the zoom software, similar to kindergarten teachers, and as part of the educational staff.
left to right: Hanna Schnitzer-Rahav, Arnon Bar-David, Gil Bar-Tal
