Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David requests to hold an urgent meeting on the future of the Rotem Ampert

Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David addressed Energy Minister Karin Elharar with a request to hold an urgent meeting on the future of the Rotem Ampert Negev plant.
In the letter, Bar-David states, among other things, that "unfortunately and to my astonishment, I was informed that a decision was made in your office to promote the extension of the mining franchise of Rotem Ampert factories, and will not be submitted for final approval by the Finance Committee." The consequences of the decision are critical, dangerous, far-reaching and adversely affect the employment security of thousands of families whose livelihoods depend on the factory, most of them residents of the Negev. "
The chairman of the Histadrut added that "in less than four months, without the extension of Rotem's franchise for another three years, as planned and approved by your predecessor in office, Dr. Yuval Steinitz, the plant will be closed and thousands of workers and their families.
Will be left without a livelihood. The Histadrut and I at its head can no longer intervene in the protection and well-being of thousands of workers. "
Bar-David noted that "Rotem provides employment to about 1,200 workers in the direct circle and another 8,000 workers in the second circle, including about 3,500 from the Bedouin sector. I understand, the company began in August 2018 in the process with the Ministry of Energy The concessions, the plant will be closed at the end of this year and possibly even earlier. As early as September 2020, the Ministry of Energy expressed to the company its principled position to extend the concessions for another three years. The heavy damage to thousands of workers and their families, the closure of the plant will lead to injury
"In a country that will not receive more royalties, will not receive more taxes from the plant's activities, the phosphate industry will become extinct and the state will be required to support thousands of workers and their families."
The chairman of the Histadrut ended his letter to the Minister of Energy with a request to hold an "urgent and immediate meeting on the subject. I am convinced that the concern and responsibility towards thousands of workers and their families in the south will be a crucial consideration for reconsidering your decision. "