Rami Levy Faces Class Action Over Cashier Wage Deductions
The Jerusalem Regional Labor Court approved a class action against Rami Levy supermarkets for deducting register shortages from cashiers' wages in violation of the Wage Protection Law.
The Regional Labor Court in Jerusalem approved a class action lawsuit against the Rami Levy supermarket chain for alleged violations of the Wage Protection Law, following the deduction of register shortages from cashiers' salaries.
Court Ruling on Register Shortages
"There is a reasonable possibility of a comprehensive ruling in favor of the group of cashiers on the grounds of violating the Wage Protection Law," ruled Judge Rachel Bar-Gag-Hirschberg and the public representatives.
The class plaintiffs, Meir Edri and Baruch Shaltiel, who were employed as cashiers at the chain, claim that when cash shortages are discovered at the end of shifts, the amounts are deducted from their wages in violation of the law. They requested that the chain cease this practice, refund the withheld funds, and complete the resulting social benefits.
Employer's Argument Rejected
The chain argued that the law permits the deduction of an employee's debt if the employee consents. However, the court determined that the statutory definition of "debt" does not include register discrepancies. The court noted that employees typically sign these authorizations as a condition of employment, raising doubts about true consent, and evidence showed undue pressure is applied.
The court ordered the chain to pay legal fees of 25,000 NIS and an additional 8,000 NIS to the class plaintiffs, covering affected workers from the past seven years.
