Dispute Over Employing 23,500 Foreign Workers in Israel's Metro Project Intensifies
A heated debate is underway regarding the employment model for approximately 23,500 foreign workers in Israel's massive metro project. The controversy centers on whether these workers should be hired directly by the construction companies, as demanded by the metro operator NTA, or through manpower corporations, a practice established since the 2005 "corporate method" reform. This issue was the focus of a recent Knesset committee meeting on foreign workers, chaired by MK Hava Eti Atiya.
Manpower companies and the Histadrut labor union argue that using manpower corporations ensures legal and fair conditions for foreign workers. Conversely, NTA and the executing companies claim that direct employment is necessary due to the project's scale and complexity. They emphasize that many international infrastructure firms participating in the metro tenders require their own experienced teams familiar with the specialized engineering tasks. Additionally, since the employment will span several years, a different model is needed to allow workers to bring their families to Israel, reducing turnover risks.
Ayal Most from the New Page organization, representing opponents of direct employment, warned that direct hiring could increase worker desertion, leading to loss of project control. He cited the common issue of foreign workers arriving legally but abandoning their jobs and becoming undocumented. While manpower corporations estimate a 44% desertion rate among directly employed workers, NTA disputes this figure, asserting that international firms bring professional, loyal teams, lowering desertion risks.
NTA's Deputy CEO Zohar Zoler stressed that globally, companies work with their own employees and that forcing them to hire through manpower agencies might deter their participation. Attorney Ilan Bombach, associated with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Likud leaders, urged the committee to await a government decision on foreign worker employment for the metro before setting any precedents.
The Building Workers Union's lawyer Wael Abadi supported manpower corporations, highlighting their successful employment model, while some contractors and foreign firms, including China's deputy CEO Danny Fein, favored direct employment for flexibility and project timelines. The metro project, spanning 24 municipalities with a budget exceeding 183 billion shekels, remains a battleground over employment methods and budget allocations.
MK Atiya emphasized the urgency of resolving the issue before the Knesset recess. However, the final approval for bringing foreign workers lies with a separate government decision, where NTA aims to influence terms to fit the metro's unique needs. Jonathan Primo, CEO of the Central Bureau for Foreign Workers, suggested a hybrid approach allowing companies to bring experienced workers while ensuring professional support for all employees to guarantee project success.
