Histadrut Maof said Wednesday it has appealed to Social Equality and Women’s Advancement Minister MK May Golan, the chairman of the Federation of Local Authorities, Haim Bibas, municipal leaders, and city managers to stop the planned cut in funding for LGBTQ coordinators in local authorities.
In its letter, the union warned that ending the program could have broad consequences, including layoffs, harm to workers’ rights, and the shutdown of essential community activities. It said the move would especially hurt cash-strapped authorities and peripheral communities, and would damage vulnerable groups that rely on guidance, support, and referrals through local government services.
The union said LGBTQ coordinators play an important role in municipal community services by addressing the specific needs of the gay community, running social and educational programs, and helping people at risk or in distress. It also argued that the decision was made on a very short timetable, without sufficient consultation with worker representatives, and without consideration of its social and employment impact.
Histadrut Maof chairman Gil Bar Tal called the funding cut a “serious and unreasonable decision” that could lead to layoffs of dedicated workers and harm to the public that depends on their services. He said the coordinators are not a luxury, but part of the core municipal service system, and urged the government and local authorities to halt the move, keep the funding in place, and engage in real dialogue before making unilateral decisions. He added that the union would seek every option to preserve the jobs.
