Israeli Road Safety Institute Workers to Receive $3,300 Bonus

The Histadrut labor union, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Health, and the workers' committee of the National Road Safety Institute (MARBAD) have signed a new agreement aimed at improving employment conditions and compensation for the institute's staff. This agreement is part of a broader effort to enhance public service and reduce waiting times at MARBAD.

Under the new terms, each employee will receive a NIS 12,000 (approximately $3,300) incentive bonus. This bonus is intended to help streamline work processes, clear backlogs, and increase overall efficiency within the institute. The agreement also includes several other improvements to employment conditions, such as advancements in employee ranks according to established guidelines.

Additionally, the number of company vehicles allocated to the institute will be increased to better support staff needs, and the on-call quota will be expanded to recognize work performed beyond regular hours. MARBAD, a unit within the Ministry of Health, specializes in traffic medicine and the prevention of accidents related to drivers' health conditions.

Employees at MARBAD are responsible for assessing drivers' medical fitness, managing referrals, scheduling and conducting examinations, and providing professional opinions to the licensing authority. In the past year, waiting times at MARBAD have been significantly reduced from approximately 18 months to about 4 months, with a goal to further shorten this to 3 months.

Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David stated that the agreement is important news for MARBAD employees and public service, emphasizing that strengthening the institute's staff is a public interest due to their direct impact on road safety. Senior Deputy Director General of Human Resources and Administration at the Ministry of Health, Shani Sharvit, highlighted the substantial improvement in public service resulting from the reduced waiting times, attributing it to intensive work and process optimization. Chairman of the National Workers Union, Adv. Ofir Alkalai, noted that the agreement acknowledges the staff's work by improving their employment terms, ranks, vehicle allocations, and on-call recognition.