ZIM Shipping Workers to Protest Sale of Company

Hundreds of workers from ZIM Integrated Shipping Services are planning a protest on Tuesday morning outside the Basler Towers in Tel Aviv. The demonstration, organized in cooperation with the ZIM Workers' Committee and the Histadrut labor federation, aims to oppose the sale of the company to Hapag-Lloyd and the FIMI Fund. Slogans such as "ZIM must remain Israeli" and "There are things that are not for sale, the state's security is not to be handed over" will be featured.

Workers are concerned that the sale will negatively impact their jobs and rights. They also object to the transfer of control of a company they deem essential for the country's goods supply, and are protesting the involvement of parties with Qatari ties. Simultaneously, Hapag-Lloyd and FIMI are advancing an improved offer to acquire ZIM, which includes Hapag-Lloyd purchasing ZIM shares for $35 per share in cash, totaling approximately $4.2 billion. FIMI would acquire the Israeli operations, which would continue under the ZIM name.

The deal requires approvals from the state and its regulatory authorities. Government ministries had previously opposed the original offer, partly due to concerns that the remaining Israeli operations would be too small and dependent on Hapag-Lloyd. The new proposal includes a direct route to the Far East, increased state control through its golden share, and protections for employees. The golden share grants the state special powers to safeguard its interests in the company.

The Histadrut is demanding the inclusion of employee representatives in any sale discussions and guarantees for workers' rights, stating they will not accept decisions made without their input. Protesters also plan to display signs against FIMI Fund senior officials Yishai Davidi and Gilon Beck.

Eyal Yadin, Chairman of the Transport Workers Union in the Histadrut, stated, "We will not allow a situation where dedicated employees, who built the company over the years and sustained it through the most complex periods, pay the price for the deal. Anyone who thinks they can decide the future of hundreds of employees in meeting rooms, without meeting with the workers' representatives and without providing clear answers, is mistaken. The Histadrut will stand by the workers with all the tools at its disposal and will not enable moves that harm their livelihood, job security, or the national interests of the State of Israel."

Oren Caspi, Chairman of the ZIM Workers' Committee, emphasized the company's critical role, noting that "Israel is an island nation, 97% of goods arrive by sea. During wartime, when the skies were closed, ZIM brought doctors, medicine, and ammunition to the country. This is a company that brings hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes to the state treasury, and now they want to sell it and give Qatari elements a foothold in our lifeline. Meanwhile, hundreds of employees live in uncertainty. Government ministries have already presented weighty arguments against the deal, and we are here to make it clear: it must be taken off the agenda once and for all. The state's security is not to be trifled with!"