Application promotes pregnancy rights

The app, developed by the Regulation and Enforcement Administration in the ministry, aims to increase accessibility to information about employees’ legal rights in both Hebrew and Arabic.

By LIDAR GRAVÉ-LAZI
A record year for smartphone sales in Israel (photo credit: ING IMAGE/ASAP)
A record year for smartphone sales in Israel
(photo credit: ING IMAGE/ASAP)
A new application enables any employee planning a pregnancy to know their rights and issue a complaint regarding violations, the Economy Ministry announced on Sunday.
The app, developed by the Regulation and Enforcement Administration in the ministry, aims to increase accessibility to information about employees’ legal rights in both Hebrew and Arabic.
“The way to advance women in employment begins with protecting their rights. We have created an easier and more accessible possibility, so that every employee and employer can know the rights for pregnant women and those after childbirth,” said Michal Tzuk, senior deputy director-general and director of employment at the ministry.
The new app’s virtual booklet summarizes the most important sections of the law for male and female employees, such as absences for fertility treatments, limiting employment in a dangerous environment, absence due to pregnancy bed rest, the prohibition to fire a worker, and length of maternity pay.
It enables users to submit a complaint when there is suspected violation of employment laws, and it includes contact details for help lines at the Economy Ministry dealing with employee rights and discrimination in the workplace.
The app is already operational on Android devices and in the coming weeks will also launch for iOS.
“As a continuation to our broad publicity campaigns for employers regarding protecting the rights of male and female employees, it is important to make information directly accessible to employees. Knowledge of the law is the first step in ensuring fair employment for women at the most sensitive stage of their career; they should be provided with all the existing tools,” said Yaffa Sulimani, director of the Regulation and Enforcement Administration in the ministry.
The Regulation and Enforcement Administration reported that it received 120 complaints regarding suspected violation of the Employment of Women Law last year.
Over the course of the year, 35 fines totaling NIS 1,286,640 were imposed on employers, one warning was issued, and five bills of indictment are still undergoing criminal proceedings.
In addition, 224 complaints regarding discrimination in connection with pregnancy were submitted to the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, making up some 31% of all complaints to the commission last year.