Adani-Gadot Secures Port of Haifa Stability with New Collective Agreement

Three years after privatization and the transfer of ownership to the Adani-Gadot Group, the Port of Haifa is embarking on a new path. A groundbreaking new collective agreement was signed today between the Histadrut (General Federation of Labour in Israel), the management of the Adani-Gadot Group, the port management, and the workers' committees.

The agreement, designed to ensure the port's future in the face of increasing competition, includes a significant improvement in the job security of approximately 700 employees, wage increases, and arrangements for the recruitment of new "Generation C" personnel, which will provide necessary operational flexibility.

The new agreement comes at a strategic timing for the Port of Haifa, which seeks to position itself as the central link in the global IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) project connecting the East with Europe and the USA. Beyond improving wage conditions, the agreement anchors enhanced retirement mechanisms that allow for workforce renewal and provides port management with the necessary tools to meet the logistical challenges of the coming years.

Below are the parties' reactions to the agreement:

Acting Chairman of the Histadrut, Roy Yaakov: "This is an important agreement with long-term impact, providing stability and clarity to the dedicated employees of the Port of Haifa and to the port itself as a central component of the Israeli economy. We have succeeded in formulating solutions that strengthen job security, improve wage conditions, and allow for the recruitment of new personnel. This is a significant step toward the port's prosperity and the strengthening of worker security."

Chairman of the Transport and Seaports Workers Union at the Histadrut, Adv. Eyal Yadin: "An important day for the future of the Port of Haifa. Together with the port management and the workers' committees, we have succeeded in reaching a new agreement that addresses the needs of the dedicated employees and will lead to the port's growth, economic stability, and prosperity."

President of the Port of Haifa, Sumit Chauhan: "The Port of Haifa, its employees, and especially the Israeli economy needed this agreement, which, like the privatization and transfer of ownership to the Adani-Gadot Group, contains everything required to position the Port of Haifa as the primary maritime gateway of the State of Israel, and as a central link connecting the Middle East to the world as part of the IMEC. I thank the owners of the Port of Haifa, the Histadrut, the management, the workers' committees, and the employees themselves, and everyone who worked day and night to reach this agreement."

Deputy Chairman of the Transport Workers Union at the Histadrut, Adv. Nir Eisenberg: "I welcome the agreement that strengthens the Port of Haifa employees and their future. The agreement ensures their job security for many years and will lead the port to the economic stability it requires. The agreement will provide a response to the increasing competition between ports, increase work volume, and grow the port."

CEO of the Port of Haifa, David Cohen: "This is great news for the customers and employees of the Port of Haifa, which for decades has been a symbol of excellence. Now, even in the face of high competition, we will be able to be efficient and work at world-class output levels for the benefit of customers and the economy. We have first-class new equipment, wonderful employees, and together this is the recipe for success."

VP of Human Resources at the Port of Haifa, Roni Stern: "The agreement signed after long and in-depth negotiations is not just a legal document. It constitutes a joint declaration of intent to build a strong, competitive, efficient, and leading port, and to develop together in the face of the challenges and opportunities of the coming years."

Chairman of the Haifa Region at the Histadrut, Moshe Mizrahi: "The Port of Haifa is the main gateway of the State of Israel, and the port workers are the heart of the port. Concern for the future of the workers and the port was before our eyes throughout the process, and I am happy with the great achievements we have brought. The Haifa region under my leadership, and the region's employees, will continue to provide service and response to the workers, and our home is always open to them."