Labor Dispute Declared at Haifa Port Over Safety and Sanitary Hazards
A labor dispute was declared at Haifa Port as 700 workers protest severe sanitary hazards, unmaintained equipment, and unilateral changes to employment terms following its 2023 privatization.
A labor dispute was declared at Haifa Port following a sharp decline in workload and allegations of deteriorating safety and sanitary conditions. In a letter sent by the Histadrut Transport and Ports Workers Union, the employees accused management of cutting costs at their expense by reducing security and cleaning contractor operations.
The union stated that the port's infrastructure suffers from poor maintenance, citing a sanitary crisis on the docks. Workers reported broken manholes, heavy dust, and an incident earlier this month where an employee was bitten by a rat on the pier. In addition, employees complain that management hires outside contractors to perform regular port workers' duties and fails to provide dedicated restrooms.
Safety concerns extend to aging and unmaintained equipment, including rusted cranes, cracked roadways, overheating forklifts, and exposed electrical wiring. Workers also noted that management unilaterally altered shift schedules, violating their rights.
Haifa Port was privatized in 2023 and is operated by the Adani-Gadot consortium. Around 700 employees are currently affected by the dispute, citing an impasse in collective bargaining negotiations and a refusal by management to address their grievances.
