Yacimovich. Israeli workers come first
צילום: גיל יוחנן
MK: Restrict gov't bids to Israeli manufacturers
Following tenders issued for kit bags for soldiers and clothing for prisoners, Labor's Shelly Yacimovich asks ministers 'not to help the Chinese at the expense of workers of the Israeli industry'
The defense and interior security ministers were asked Sunday to prevent importers from taking part in bids issued for the supply of kit bags for soldiers and uniform for prisoners.
Knesset Member Shelly Yacimovich (Labor) demanded that Ministers Ehud Barak and Yitzhak Aharonovitch restrict government tenders to Israeli manufacturers, or at least give them preference.
"Don’t help the Chinese at the expense of workers of the Israeli industry and factory owners who are distressed as it is following the recession, which harms exports," said Yacimovich in a letter sent to the two ministers.
Yacimovich turned to Barak and Aharonovitch following tenders issued by the Defense Ministry for the supply of 5,000 personal kit bags for soldiers, and by the Israel Prison Service for the supply of 30,000 shirts and trousers for inmates.
According to the MK, as the tenders do not limit the participation of importers and will be determined according to the question of price, Chinese factories may be favored without considering criteria of quality, as the cost of Chinese labor is significantly lower.
'Contradictions in government's conduct'
Yacimovich noted that in light of the global financial crisis, many Western countries are working to bring up the local demand for products manufactured by local factories. The American administration even expanded an amendment obligating the Department of Defense and other government bodies to purchase textile products from US companies only.According to the MK, favoring Israeli textile products by the security forces does not contradict international trade agreements signed by Israel or the conditions involved in receiving American military aid funds. The contradictions, she said, are in the government's conduct.
"While one hand invests funds in a bid to prevent dismissals and save factories, the other hand will lead to the dismissal of employees and prevent the absorption of new workers in the industry, if we were to consciously supply work to laborers from China.
"What is at stake now is the benefit of the industry and employment in Israel. The economy and society can be aided significantly if you order the purchase of the discussed products from Israeli manufacturers," Yacimovich wrote to each of the ministers.
