Rotem Ampart Factory Workers Protest Threat to Livelihoods

Hundreds of workers from the Rotem Ampart factory, owned by ICL, protested outside a Planning Administration hearing in Jerusalem on Monday. They demonstrated against further delays in planning processes they deem essential for the factory's continued operation. The workers, wearing blue work shirts and carrying ICL flags, were joined by Dimona Mayor Benny Biton, who urged government ministers, particularly from the Likud party, to protect the factory. "You have thousands of supporters here, it cannot be that you will close the most important factory in the Negev!" Biton stated, emphasizing that Rotem Ampart employs 1,000 workers directly and indirectly supports another 10,000.

Moshe Hadad, chairman of the Rotem Ampart Workers' Committee, expressed the anxiety of thousands of Negev families facing uncertainty. He stated that a solution for environmental quality has been proposed that would ensure both environmental protection and the factory's operation, and that after years of discussion, decisions are needed. "We cannot talk about strengthening the periphery and at the same time endanger the livelihoods of thousands of workers. Without employment in the Negev, there is no revival!" Hadad declared.

The protest, organized by the factory's workers' committee and the Histadrut labor union, concerns a request by the company to build and upgrade a fourth pool, which the workers argue is vital for the factory's economic future. While the environmental organization 'Adam Teva V'Din' removed its objection after a court rejected appeals and approved a revised plan, the organization 'Lobby 99' filed an additional appeal with the District Committee. The Histadrut fears this could significantly prolong the process if accepted.

'Lobby 99' claims the company is evading the construction of a safe pool and uses the threat of layoffs when asked to fulfill its commitments. Rom Dvir, chairman of the Union of Hotel, Chemistry, and Agriculture Workers of the Histadrut, joined the protest, emphasizing that this is a struggle for the livelihoods of workers and the entire Negev, not just a conflict between tycoons and environmental groups. He warned of a bleak future for the Negev if ICL were to cease operations, which could lead to the closure of the factory, the loss of jobs for approximately 1,000 employees, and impact the indirect employment of thousands more Negev residents.