Workers' Committees Key to Responsible AI Use, Israeli Authority Says
Translated & summarized from Davar by baba
Erez Elhanan, chairman of the Israeli Enforcement and Collection Authority's workers' committee, believes workers' committees are essential for the responsible implementation of artificial intelligence. He is collaborating with management and the State Employees Union on a reform and a new collective agreement to integrate new technologies and improve working conditions. Elhanan emphasized the need for cooperation between management and employees to ensure successful reforms and fair treatment, particularly as AI adoption progresses.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Workers' committees are key to ensuring responsible and fair use of artificial intelligence, according to Erez Elhanan.
- The Israeli Enforcement and Collection Authority is undergoing a significant reform and negotiating a new collective agreement.
- New technologies, including AI, are being integrated into the authority's operations.
- Elhanan stressed the importance of cooperation between management and employees for successful reforms.
- The authority plays a crucial role in enforcing laws and collecting debts for the state.
The Enforcement and Collection Authority's workers' committee chairman, Erez Elhanan, stated that workers are full partners in shaping the authority's future and success. Elhanan, who has been involved with the workers' committee since 2002 and leads the national committee since 2022, is working with the State Employees Union and the authority's management on a new collective agreement and a work reform that includes adopting new technologies. He views these technological advancements as an opportunity for both employees and the authority.
Elhanan emphasized the dedication of the authority's employees, who operate under challenging conditions to enforce the law, maintain public order, and collect debts and fines, thereby supporting the state's finances. The authority plays a vital role in the Israeli legal system and impacts many citizens' daily lives. It will soon also collect the congestion charge.
The workers' representatives are also pushing for a new salary agreement to reflect the employees' contributions and responsibilities. Elhanan expressed appreciation for the support of State Employees Union Chairman Ofir Elkayal in this effort, which aims to equip the authority's employees and ensure the organization's continued innovation and strengthening of governance and the rule of law.
Authority head Uriel Valerstein is leading a significant reform to adapt the organization to changing challenges, improve public service, and enhance enforcement capabilities. Elhanan stressed that such organizational changes require genuine cooperation, dialogue, trust, and mutual responsibility between management and employees. He highlighted the importance of professional management, dedicated employees, strong committees, and union support for successful reforms and fair agreements.
Regarding artificial intelligence, Elhanan believes it presents an opportunity rather than a threat if implemented responsibly and fairly. He asserted that organized labor and workers' committees are the crucial mechanism to ensure AI serves people, not the other way around. As an example of adaptation, he noted the transition of typists in administrative collection hearings to hall management roles, with automatic transcription replacing manual typing. Further adjustments are anticipated as part of the ongoing salary agreement negotiations led by Elkayal and Division Director Avner Sultani, with support from Jerusalem Region Chairman Dani Bonfil and his deputy Eyal Levy.