Polgat textile workers in Kiryat Gat have locked the company's gates and warned they will burn tires to protest the planned closure of the plant in April. Polgat said workers will receive extra severance pay in return for agreeing to shut down operations, which Polgat says are suffering from financial losses due to higher costs, foreign competition and the weak dollar, which has resulted in less income in terms of shekels.

Workers said they will keep the plant from resuming operations, which are scheduled to continue for another month. Labor Knesset Member Shelly Yechimovich has voiced protest at the planned closure because the company received financial aid from the government.