09/06/2012 00:13–One hundred thousand Israeli families will rise above the poverty line thanks to a new law that strengthens enforcement of labor laws, Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Shalom Simhon predicted Wednesday.

Speaking at a symposium hosted by his ministry in Tel Aviv, Simhon said that labor laws may as well not exist if there is no power to enforce them. He urged Histadrut Chairman Ofer Eini and Federation of Israeli Economic Organizations President Zvi Oren – who were both present – to cooperate with each other in order to ensure enforcement works.

The Law to Strengthen Enforcement of Labor Laws came into effect in June.

It introduced new procedures for quick treatment of small and occasional transgressors, and new criminal procedures to be issued against the worst transgressors.

It increased the maximum fines employers may be issued for violating labor laws, and permitted their names to be published.

Oren said he was looking forward to working with the ministry and with Eini, but added that existing labor laws would need to become more flexible.

He explained that 80 percent of factories face a shortage of qualified workers, but that the law prevents them from asking their employees to work a certain amount of overtime – even if the employees themselves consent…Read More>>

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