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NEWS
Shipping Chamber Demands Ashdod Port Operate on
Shabbos
by G. Kleiman
The Israel Shipping Chamber is calling on the Ashdod Port
management to operate the port on Shabbos and holidays.
Shipping Chamber President Reuven Tzuk said a modern port,
like a business or production enterprise, cannot afford to
willingly cease its production for 80 days per year. The
organization claims that Ashdod Port has no alternative if it
wants to compete in this segment of the market, saying that
in order to compete with nearby ports it must keep its docks
running on Shabbos like in Haifa, where the docks have
operated on Shabbos for years.
The Ashdod Port Company says that since its inception the
port has not operated on Shabbos and holidays, in accordance
with labor laws and collective agreements with workers. "Ever
since the reform was implemented at Israel's ports, Ashdod
Port has been prepared to meet advanced objectives, to
improve service and to reduce waiting times," reads a company
announcement. "The Ashdod Port Company is meeting its turnout
goals and even increased container traffic by 8 percent
during the past year compared to the previous year. In light
of the significant improvement in service and [the success]
in meeting the Ashdod Port Company's turnover goals, and
following the extensive efforts the Ashdod Port Company's
investment together with the Association of Shipping Users of
Ashdod, the board of the Europe/Mediterranean Trade Agreement
(EMTA) Conference decided to cancel the congestion surcharge
at Ashdod Port as of January 15th. According to estimates the
cancellation of the congestion surcharge will save shippers
over NIS 100 million per year. These and other facts attest
to the fact that Ashdod Port Company is meeting all of its
tasks and goals, while still showing respect for legislation
and Jewish values."
In response to the Shipping Chamber President's request, MK
Rabbi Moshe Gafni said, "Tzuk's remarks are thoroughly
tainted with a disgraceful lack of Jewish values and a total
lack of sensitivity for employee rights in the modern age. To
the Chamber President the meaning of economic progress is
undermining Jewish values and worker rights. In so doing he
reveals his primitive stance. I am happy with the Port
Administration's announcement that the status quo will remain
unaltered. Tzuk should know that preserving Shabbat Kodesh
and preserving employee rights is the guarantee of
success and by doing so we will be a light unto the
nations."
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