Bank CEO Confronted by Employees Over Wage Deductions

Employees of Mat'af, the computing company of the International Bank, confronted CEO Eli Cohen during a New Year's event, demanding the return of money they claim was wrongly deducted from their salaries. Protesters held signs and chanted "Return our money to us," stating that deductions, in some cases amounting to thousands of shekels, were made for actual hours and days they had worked. The employees argue these deductions are separate from disputes over the new collective agreement and the company's merger into the bank.

The bank's management expressed surprise at the protest, especially since it occurred shortly after agreements were reached with the Histadrut HaOfekum (a labor union) and the Mat'af workers' committee, which had reportedly canceled a labor dispute declared in June and led to the employees' return to full operations.

"The bank's merger process is underway and will be managed professionally, maturely, and matter-of-factly," the International Bank management stated. "Those who try to ridicule the employees' future will have to do so alone and bear the consequences. The bank's management wishes a happy and fruitful new year to the dear bank employees and the workers' representatives."

Last week, the International Bank, Mat'af, the Histadrut HaOfekum, and the Mat'af workers' committee signed a memorandum of understanding that officially ended the June labor dispute. This agreement canceled the dispute and subsequent legal proceedings, with employees committing to cease organizational actions and return to full work. A period of focused dialogue and negotiation is set until October 31st, concentrating on the implications of merging Mat'af into the International Bank as part of the group's efficiency and technological synergy efforts.

Previously, CEO Eli Cohen had welcomed the agreements, emphasizing the shared responsibility that allowed for the dispute's resolution and return to routine. He described Mat'af employees as the group's technological and operational vanguard and stated that the merger is a necessary strategic step to enhance digital and business capabilities, pledging mutual respect, transparency, and a commitment to securing the employees' professional future within the International Bank family.