Dear Friends,
As 2024 begins, and just before finishing my job as CEO of Kav LaOved, I would like to wish you all a happy New Year and to say thank you for the road we have traveled together.
I took office in September 2018 and joined the team of those working day to day to fulfill the tasks of this very special organization. Right from the beginning, I was amazed by the unparalleled scope of the work. I have been privileged to meet people with tremendous strengths, groundbreakers with a huge personal commitment to defend not only the rights of workers, but also their humanity, in a society and labor market that seeks to obscure these things. I feel fortunate to have been part of an organization that revolutionizes the lives of so many, creating codes of ethics and work principles that no one else handles. For this, I feel thrilled and proud.
These years were unfortunately full of many global and local crises, but in each and every one of them we managed to find a way to take action, the tools to cope, to be adaptable in finding solutions, and to continue our path. Thousands of witnesses can testify to the resourcefulness and strength of the organization and its people.
Summing up the year at this time is especially difficult, because nothing has ended. The war is still here. As an organization that works to promote workers' rights, during the war we are unfortunately witnessing ongoing damage in multiple areas. We are trying our best to assist the workers as much as possible during our reception hours, through our hotline and even from within the Knesset. Since October 7th, we have fielded calls from workers who were injured by the shooting, who fled for their lives with only the clothes they were wearing, or who were afraid to leave their homes. Others faced a myriad of employment challenges such as being placed on unpaid leave, not being compensated, being forced to continue working in unsafe conditions and thus having to choose between their livelihood and personal security, or learning that their jobs were suddenly terminated. For all these workers, their lives were changed beyond recognition. Exhausted workers, both Israeli and non-Israeli, face ongoing hardships and uncertainty. Sometimes we did succeed in obtaining for the workers what they are entitled to, in other areas the welfare of the workers depends on the decisions of the state or the end of the war. We are very concerned about this uncertainty and are trying to respond to anyone who contacts us in order to support and assist as much as possible.
Kav LaOved doesn't pat itself on the back, partly because we don't have time for it, but also because the beginning of a new year requires assessing the reality we've created. Such reflection reveals work of enormous magnitude performed by all our departments and a familiarity with new communities both in Israel and abroad. Despite the harsh political reality, we nevertheless managed to write dozens of position papers this year. We attended a considerable number of Knesset committee hearings to promote and publicize workers' rights and their needs. We received many grateful messages from workers who described Kav LaOved as an island of professionalism and caring amid stormy seas.
I leave despite my satisfaction and sense of belonging, because I believe in the importance of change. We have chosen a new CEO for Kav LaOved, the talented Adv. Ohad Amar, and I am confident that the strengths, ideas and capabilities he brings with him will promote growth and renewal at KLO. The year 2024 needs these like a breath of fresh air. I wish Ohad great success in the important task he has undertaken, and know that he will enjoy all the wonderful aspects that Kav LaOved has to offer.
This is also an opportunity to say thank you to our staff, board, volunteers, donors and partners for their trust, backing and support over our years together. They say management is a lonely job, but I want to say that I've never felt alone here – thanks to all of you.
I will conclude by wishing everyone a Happy New Year and expressing the fervent hope that the coming year will be more just and better than the previous one.
Yours,
Adi
