The Histadrut for Sarah May Golan: Prevent the cessation of funding for LGBT coordinators in the authorities
Following the announcement by the Ministry of Social Equality about the termination of the matching funding program with local authorities for the position of official LGBT coordinators, the chairman of the Histadrut Ma’af applied today (Wednesday). Gil Bar Valleyto the Minister for Social Equality May Golan Demand continued budgeting for the program. At the same time, Bar-Tal turned to the chairman of the local government center, Haim Bivasand called for discussions to be held with the Histadrut before hiring the coordinators.
Next week, a discussion on lifting the requirement for LGBT coordinators in local authorities is expected to take place in the Knesset Committee on the Promotion of the Status of Women and Gender Equality.
The letter refers to the communication from the Ministry of Social Equality to local authorities on June 4th, in which it was announced that the cooperation with the authorities on the “LGBT Call”, which has existed for about five years, will end at the end of next month. In addition to Bar-Tal, the letter is also signed by the chairman of the Department of Social Justice and Gender Equality in the Histadrut. Yaya Pinkand head of the LGBT area in the Histadrut, Maggie Moore.
Chairman of Histadrut HaMouf, lawyer Gil Bar-Tal (Photo: PR of Histadrut HaMouf)
“Life-saving activity”
The three warned that the announcement could have far-reaching consequences for the rights of LGBT coordinators who are employees of local authorities, and that the cessation of budgeting could lead to their dismissal, the cessation of work by suppliers and harm to service recipients and the LGBT community in the various cities. According to them, the damage is likely to be particularly great in the peripheral cities and among the authorities, who will have to budget for the existence of the activity.
“Despite the announcement by the Ministry of Social Equality about the termination of funding, we reject the dismissal of the employees or the reduction of a percentage of their jobs and the impairment of their rights. In our opinion, the decision to announce the preparation for the termination of the contract in less than a month is extremely unreasonable and does not address all the consequences for the LGBT coordinators,” they clarified. “We are talking about employees who, despite their low wages, play an important role in strengthening the social system.” Resilience, sometimes to the point of activity. Saving the lives of boys and girls who need it. There is no doubt that the benefits far outweigh the costs.
Significant damage is expected, particularly in the periphery
The letter emphasized that the Histadrut opposes such a significant change on the eve of the Knesset parliamentary elections. “Doubts arose in our hearts about the good faith of the decision to stop funding and the order of priorities that led to this decision, since we were not given the reasons for it at all. It seems that the decision is leading to deepening social inequality, widening gaps and denying protection and assistance to those who need it most.”
According to them, among the authorities that are expected to no longer receive budgets for providing services to the LGBT community are Lod, Mebasheret Zion, Rosh Ha’Ein, Kiryat Shmona, Upper Galilee Regional Council, Beit Shemesh, Ashkelon, Kfar Yona, Shaar Hanegev Regional Council, Ashdod, Savion, Emek Ma’a’ain Regional Council, Yosod Ha’Maale, the Hermon Regional Council, Katzrin, Gani Tikva, Azor, Hod Hasharon, Eshkol Regional Council, Kadima-Zoran, Golan Regional Council, Ramat Hashrut, Kiryat Ono, Ornit, Lower Galilee Regional Council, Ramat Yishai, Nahariya, Ariel, Acre, Modi’in Regional Council, Beer Sheva, Tirat HaCarmel, Nesher, Hoof Hasharon Regional Council, Herzliya, Bnei Shimon Regional Council, Councilor Yehuda Regional Council, Ra’anana, Eilat, Eilot Regional Council, Givatayim, Kfar Vardim, Haifa, Nes Ziona, Rehovot, Emek Jordan Regional Council, Yokneam Ilit, Megiddo Regional Council, Yehud-Monson and Harish – places, many of which are in the geographical periphery, some of which are running budget deficits or are in one due to the ongoing state of emergency in the hinterland difficult phase.
The three clarified that the position of LGBT coordinator is part of the area of communities in local authorities and that within this area, budgets are allocated to specific communities. According to them, as part of the position, activities, support and assistance to the members of the gay community, advice and guidance were provided, and the authorities’ mechanisms were activated to respond to the specific needs of the community.
The Local Government Center: They are against changing the existing layout
At the end of the letter, Bar-Tal, Fink and Moore called for people to avoid violating workers’ rights and to have discussions with the union before taking any action. “We call on you to avoid violating workers’ rights, to cooperate with the Histadrut HaMouf and to coordinate a date for negotiations between the parties so that we receive the considerations underlying the decision to stop budgeting and what proportionate measures can be taken other than the dismissal of workers. Until the conclusion of the negotiation process between the parties, you are obliged to refrain from unilateral measures.”
Yael Sinai Bhileshthe managing director of the LGBT Association: “For months, the Ministry of Social Equality has been harassing the authorities, refusing to give clear answers and drying up the budget for the LGBT promotion department. It is not appropriate that the LGBT coordinators in the authorities are forced to live for many months in uncertainty about their further employment, when hundreds of thousands of residents depend on the help they provide. We expect Minister Mai Golan and the Ministry to stop hesitating stop, give clear answers and ensure that it stays that way.” important activity without delay.
The local government center explained: “Up to this point, the local authorities have not received any official letter on this issue. As far as the publications are correct, we are against any change to the existing structure and certainly not against the termination of a program that has already been budgeted and approved as part of the state budget.
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