Social Activism in a Social Setting

July 9, 2007 - 9:45 AM by Israelity

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On July 3, Jerusalem-based organization Bemaaglei Tzedek held a mini conference at the Wohl Rose Garden. The title of the conference was “Fighting the Exploitation of Custodial Workers: Highlighting the Plight of Israel’s Contract Workers.” About 1,500 people attended to listen to lectures and classes given by numerous professors, rabbis, and other experts in regards to an unfortunate situation taking place in Israel.

Asaf Banner, director of Bemaaglei Tzedek said, “this event highlights an all too often ignored, yet deeply troubling aspect of Israeli society. We know that failing to act on behalf of these workers would be an irresponsible violation of the Jewish values of justice and kindness and therefore B’Maaglei Zedek is strongly committed to placing this cause at the front of the public agenda.” Banner was also confident that this event would given a voice to the plight of Israel’s contract workers and would eventually enable the creation of a better society for all Israelis.

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Comments

One Comment on Social Activism in a Social Setting

  1. Dr. Deborah J Greenhill on Mon, Jan 14th 2008 10:46 AM

    2. It’s not just contract workers, it’s the whole lower class concept. In our moshav, the folks don’t want the Thai crop harvesters to enter our machlat if there are bombs from Gaza. I told them how foolish. If the bombs land, who will clean up the mess? The elderly? The children? No, the Thai workers, who are young and strong, would be expected to clean up the mess. Only-if they don’t enter a shelter for protection they will likely be dead.

    Also, what about corporations that are new start-ups? They tell you up front they can’t afford workers, so you end up working for months for little or no compensation. Ask me how I know.

    And what about the whole worker will be paid whenever concept? When I lived in Qatzir, the moatzah made the workers wait for sometimes six months before they got paid. I heard then that many municipalities default paying their workers for months on end, because of budget shortfalls.

    Like I said, it is the whole lower class worker concept that needs changing. You are at least making a start with the custodial workers.

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