Even when missiles are fired, the migrant agricultural workers from Thailand continue to work

Many people in the center of Israel woke up this month alarmed by missile alarms. For the residents of the south, this is a routine, and among them the Thai agricultural workers. Reports we receive this month clearly show that Thai workers continue to be sent to work in the fields even during missle strikes.

M., a Thai agricultural worker, told us: "In the area where I live there were more than a few Qassam rockets. Throughout the time I have worked in Israel there have been numerous attacks on the south of Israel. On the first day I arrived to Israel the bombing started. No one told us anything about the security situation. The more senior Thai workers told us that 'the Arabs are attacking', and that in such cases we need to lay on the ground. Never during the bombings has our employer talked to us about the situation, given us guidance, nor exempted us from work. We worked throughout the bombing period as usual: in the greenhouses in the field. There is no shelter in the area of the greenhouses, and we were there all day, even during consecutive attacks. There is a shelter near the residence, and if it happens in the evening, we can go to the shelter. During the attacks, only the Thai workers work in the field. The employer, and the rest of the Israelis, are in bomb shelters. Only the Thai workers continue to work." This is in addition to the fact that just last August, a Thai woman was seriously injured by a rocket shrapnel. The late Niki Guttmann, the dedicated and caring correspondent of Israel Hayom in the south who passed away last month, covered the workers' situation (Hebrew).  

So what are we doing? Workers learn to say "no" to employers in Kav LaOved’s ‘safety at work’ workshops

"I know how important your work is for you, and that you fear you will lose it if you refuse to perform dangerous tasks. I ask you: imagine the look on the faces of your family members, if they are informed that you were injured in a work accident." Attorney Khaled Dukhi of Kav La'Oved said this to more than 50 Palestinian agricultural workers who are employed in Israel, during a workshop he led at the end of the March in Tulkarem refugee camp. The workshop was organized as part of a public awareness program led by Kav LaOved, in cooperation with CIMI and due to the support of the Manof Fund. It is designed to provide workers with practical tools to help them assert their rights and protect their safety.

And a few small tips for the General Election Day:

On Tuesday, the 09.04.2019, elections for the 21st Knesset will take place throughout Israel. What are your rights as employees?

1. Election Day is a day of rest.
2. Election Day salary: if you do not work during election day, you are entitled to regular pay, as if you worked. This only applies to workers who have been employed over 14 days prior to election day at the same workplace.
3. Employees who do work during this day are entitled to 200% of the regular workday wage for this day.
4. The employer must provide time and option for the employees to go out and vote.