March 23, 2014
Source: GMA News
JERUSALEM - Israeli diplomats launched an unprecedented strike on
Sunday, forcing the complete closure of embassies around the world as
they escalated a dispute over pay, officials said.
The industrial
action has already threatened to postpone a visit by Pope Francis to
Israel planned for May - one of 25 trips by foreign officials affected
by a work slowdown the diplomats began on March 5 when wage talks broke
down.
By escalating the action to a full strike - the first by
the diplomatic corps since the country's establishment in 1948 - the
diplomats will close all of Israel's 102 missions abroad, paralyzing
most diplomatic work with other countries and the United Nations.
"We
are completely shutting down the (foreign ministry) office and missions
abroad. This is the first time ever," ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor
said.
Another ministry official told Reuters: "As of now, the
foreign ministry doesn't exist. It's not possible even to submit
complaints".
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman Called the strike
"irresponsible" and "a wretched decision and a display of a loss of
control on union's part."
"We shall do whatever possible to minimise the damage to the country and its citizens," Lieberman said.
Diplomats
said the strike - involving some 1,200 foreign service employees - was
open-ended and had been called after the Treasury had failed to present
any acceptable proposals.
They are demanding an increase in
monthly salaries, which they put at 6,000-9,000 shekels ($1,700-$2,600),
and want compensation for spouses forced to quit jobs due to foreign
postings. They say about a third of their number has quit in the past 15
years due to poor wages.
Yacov Livne, spokesman for the
diplomats' union, said: "the Treasury is determined to destroy the
foreign ministry and Israeli diplomacy." — Reuters
Link: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/353828/news/world/israel-closes-embassies-around-the-world-as-diplomats-strike.
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