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Israel's Labor Unions Maintain Stranglehold on Economy

Social justice in Israel won't be achieved as long as major labor unions hold monopolies, writes Idan Grinbaum.
Labour party leader Shelly Yachimovich gestures during a ceremony for Tu Bishvat, the Jewish arbor day, in Ben-Shemen forest, near the Israeli town of Modiin between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem January 20, 2013. Opinion polls have shown Labour, which ruled Israel for decades but now holds only eight seats in parliament, bouncing back to second place behind Likud under new leader Yachimovich. REUTERS/ Nir Elias (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) - RTR3COPJ
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Coming to think about it, we all wish we had a more equitable society. We all would like to ensure appropriate work conditions, fair wages and an employment horizon for all workers, wherever they may be. Wouldn’t we all hope to see these ideals realized? Had we canvassed the surfers of this site, they would have most probably voiced their unanimous support for the proposed vision. After all, we all want to live in a better world.

Now, let’s reformulate the poll to some extent and present you, the respondents, with the following questions: Would any of you agree to live in a country where a small number of workers who have control over essential services are in a position to suspend their supply at will? And would any of you be willing to live in a state where a privileged minority, in control of national resources that are public property by right, could draw outrageously exorbitant salaries, hire for work whoever they may be interested in [regardless of qualifications and disregarding commonly accepted procedures], and, throwing their weight around, intimidate elected public officials, holding them at bay for years? Well, it seems that in this case, too, the response would be virtually undisputed. In all likelihood, none of you would be prepared to accept any of the options enumerated above.

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