Israel - Migrant workers admitted into Histadrut (2010)

In November, the Histadrut Legislative Assembly passed a motion which admits migrant workers as members with equal rights. With this amendment in the constitution, the Histadrut will work as a trade union to promote the status, working conditions, and to protect the rights of migrant workers in Israel, based on the principles of equality and the Israeli law. Previously, only Israeli citizens or residents could be members. Histadrut also objected to the increasing deportation of the migrant workers’ children and is calling instead for a solution. A new union, Koach La Ovdim - literally «Power to the Workers» - had previously begun organising among migrant workers, in particular in non-organised sectors, contract work and temporary employment, such as security work, baggage handling, waiting and even lecturing.