Israel - Diplomatic staff and strikebreaking (2012)

Throughout most of 2010, diplomatic staff organised by the Foreign Ministry’s workers’ committee undertook strike action and go-slows. The government responded by asking security bureau officials (Mossad) to undertake some of the work usually done by the diplomatic and foreign office staff, thus engaging in union busting. Diplomats state that they are paid far less than security officials yet do similar work. In January a further strike was held and Israeli ambassadors abroad were instructed to cut off all contact with foreign ministries, prime minister’s offices and president’s offices in the countries in which they serve, until further notice. On 10 January, the Histadrut - General Federation of Labour in Israel, representing the Foreign Ministry workers’ committee, announced an end to the strike after reaching an agreement with the Finance Ministry and the Foreign Ministry administration regarding new salary conditions.