Phenicia employees will receive increased compensation of up to 50% beyond the statutory limit

Following strenuous negotiations in recent days, the Histadrut reached agreements with the management of Phenicia Enterprise and its owners, the Portismo Investment Fund, for providing severance pay and additional benefits to hundreds of its employees, with the decision to close it.
In recent years, the factory, which manufactures flat glass, suffered from falling orders and accumulated high debts. With the outbreak of the Corona crisis, the Executive of the Histadrut announced the decision of the Portismo Fund to stop the operation of the plant, and subsequently decided to close it completely and dismiss its 300 employees. The factory is located in the area of ​​Birdie in the Galilee landscape, and since 1934 its employees have been producing flat glass. Most of the workers in the factory are veteran workers with an average age of 50, and many of them are second or third generation at the place, sons and grandchildren of Phenicia employees.
In light of the difficult economic situation, and despite attempts to keep the plant alive, the chairman of the Histadrut in the northern Leon Peretz Valley and the trade union secretary, Attorney Elise Azuelos, began collective bargaining on the closure of the factory and the conditions of the workers would be laid off. Efforts have been made to save the plant and prevent its closure and layoffs, including inquiries from government officials to promote the transfer of urgent financial aid to the plant.
At the outset of the negotiations, management stated that it would not pay compensation to workers outside the law.
Among other things, employees will receive increased compensation of up to 50% beyond the statutory limit and a grant of up to two more months beyond the notice period for dismissal. In addition, employees who are engaged in the unique and dangerous activities of dismantling the central oven in the factory will receive a special grant.
The chairman of the Histadrut in the northern valley, Leon Peretz, said at the signing of the agreement: "We are signing the agreement with a heavy heart. Despite our efforts to prevent the plant from closing, I am proud that we have at least managed to get the job done