'Histadrut favors high earners in public sector over low paid in private'

Following the collapse of talks between the Histadrut chairman, Arnon Ben-David, and a representative of the Treasury regarding wage settlements for public sector workers, Finance Minister Yisrael Katz has accused Ben-David of pandering to high wage earners in the public sector at the expense of the lower paid in the private sector.

"At the moment of truth, Ben-David has exposed his true colors and bowed to pressure from high earners in the public sector who are now being asked to make their contribution to solving the coronavirus crisis," he said. "What we're asking is for public sector workers to do their bit to help the unemployed, the self-employed, and small business owners, but they are not willing to come to an agreement. Contrary to all his fine words, Ben-David is willing to see low wage earners take a hit," he said.

"I intend to continue to do what I can to reach an agreement with the Histadrut chairman on the matter of the public sector contributing to solving this national crisis," Katz continued. "If I do not succeed, then I will hand the matter over to the Knesset for them to legislate a solution."