Bnei Brak Considers Shifting 1,200 Education Assistants to NGO Employment Amid Legal Threats

Ahead of the new school year, Bnei Brak is exploring a plan to change the employment model of approximately 1,200 education assistants and aides from direct municipal employment to contracts through local NGOs. These assistants include those providing medical and pedagogical support, currently employed under a collective agreement with the city. The proposed shift has sparked opposition from the Histadrut labor union and the municipal workers' committee, who claim the move was initiated without prior consultation and threatens workers' rights and job security.

Parents of children requiring medical assistance during school hours have expressed concern over the uncertainty about who will care for their children, particularly those with life-threatening allergies or complex medical needs. They demand clarity on the identity of the assistants and the medical support arrangements before the school year begins.

The Histadrut's legal representative, Gil Bar Tal, condemned the plan as a last-minute "August ambush" that could undermine employment conditions. The union has threatened to take legal action, including filing for an injunction at the labor court if the city proceeds without agreement. Meanwhile, the city’s legal advisor, Yaakov Raved, stated that no final decision has been made and that the city is merely examining options. He assured that any changes would comply with labor relations rules and involve negotiations with employee representatives.

Behind the scenes, budgetary and administrative considerations are influencing the discussion, as outsourcing employment could offer the city and educational institutions greater flexibility and cost control. However, this represents a significant change for the assistants’ employment status. With the school year imminent, all parties, the municipality, workers, union, and concerned parents, are awaiting a resolution, while the possibility of a legal battle looms.