The Dimona nuclear facility
Photo: Getty
Government approves restraining orders for striking workers at Dimona nuclear facility
Head of the Israel Atomic Energy Commission asks to set emergency regulations that would allow issuing restraining orders forcing the striking researchers to return to work in an effort to avoid damage to state interests; as talks with workers continue, IAEC head says their financial claims are unjustified.
The Israeli government unanimously approved Sunday a request by the head of the Israel Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC), Ze'ev Snir, to set emergency regulations that would enable issuing restraining orders against striking employees at the Negev Nuclear Research Center in Dimona.
Scientists at the Dimona Nuclear Research Centre have been on a slowdown strike for the past three months after their demand for a wage increase was refused.
The slowdown was "disrupting activities essential to Israel" and the decision to issue the orders came in the wake of "an immediate risk" to production at the facility, according to a statement by the Prime Minister's Office.
The Dimona nuclear facility (Photo: Getty ImageBank)
The orders will be issued in a proportionate and limited manner for a period of three months to no more than 50 workers whose jobs are considered critical to preventing serious damage to vital state interests.
Snir told government ministers the researchers are dedicated professionals whose work is critical to the Commission and to the State of Israel. However, he said, their financial claims were unjustified and cannot be met by the state.
The IAEC head also said the negotiations with the research staff organization were ongoing and done in cooperation with the Finance Ministry and the Civil Service Commission—so far without any real results, however.
He added that the state's offer to resolve the labor dispute through mediation was rejected by the organization.
TPS and AFP contributed to this story.
