Sources inform ''Globes'' that employees at the Polgat Ltd. textile factory in Kiryat Gat have locked the factory gates and are about to burn tires. The Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel) and the factory's workers committee are backing the employees.
Yesterday, Polgat's management notified the employees that they will receive enhanced severance compensation on the condition that they consent to liquidation of the factory. The employees are protesting this that consenting to the factory's closing and working under a receiver are factors in receiving their severance pay. They are also protesting that part of their severance compensation will come from the National Insurance Institute, rather than the company. This reflects the lack of trust and alienation between the workers and management.
In yesterday's protests, the factory workers went on strike in the afternoon. They said that they would close the factory until further notice, and today they are intensifying their protest measures.
Polgat owner Zvi Barinboim told "Globes" yesterday, "Bagir has given the workers an irrevocable commitment to the workers, including increased severance compensation."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 12, 2008
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