In case of suspicion of violation of labor laws, one can file a complaint with the regulation and enforcement administration of the Ministry of Labor and social affairs Ministry (which has been incorporated into the Ministry of Economics).
It is important to stress that during the filing of a complaint, it may be requested that the complaint remain anonymous and during investigation the employee’s details will not be revealed.
Filing a complaint with the regulation and enforcement administration is
- not in place of a filing a suit in labor court.
In general, complaints are meant to be the cause of an investigation into the allegations, which if found to be substantial can lead to fines and usually will ensure correction of this behavior in the future by the employer. It has been found to be effective in deterring employers from continuing to disregard the law regarding employee’s rights, this due to extensive fines, in recurring cases, and even imprisonment for the CEO / owner, as well as prosecution of offending employers, who if found guilty will have a criminal record !
The names of all fined employers is on the Ministry’s website for all to see:
As stated clearly on the Ministry’s website: The process of a complaint and ensuing investigation against an employer is not meant to turn back the clock and make things right, nor is it meant to award the complaning employee any form of compensation, statement or monetary award, but rather to bring the employer to comply with the existing labor laws, avoid violation of other labor laws or recurring violations of the same nature. During the course of the procedure the employee will be contacted by an employment inspector who will take a statement from the employee, which serves as a basis for legal proceedings against the employer. During such proceedings the employee may be called upon to testify before the court. (If the complaint was filed anonymously, the employee can ask that his testimony be given secretly).
To receive his rights an employee may sue the employer in labor court. The ministry of labor and regulation and enforcement administration are not partial to any such lawsuits, nor do they file suits on behalf of employers or employees.
Filing a complaint does not prevent a civil suit and filing a civil suit does not prevent filing a complaint. These are two separate procedures, each with a set purpose.
There are several labor laws that the administration deal with specifically: Women’s employment law, youth employment law, work and rest hours law and employment agencies law.
How to file a complaint
Complaints to the regulation and enforcement administration can be done via one of the following methods:
1. Online (Hebrew only): https://forms.gov.il/forms/Resources/DowloadSetup/AGFormsDownloadToolbar.htm?formid=pikuach21%40moital.gov.il
(works only in Internet explorer – version 11 at least)
2. Email: report.achifa@economy.gov.il
3. Fax: 03-6828690
4. Phone: 03-7347839/40/49/50 or *2570
5. Voicemail: 1800-354-354
You must state: your first and last name, your phone number (for contact purposes), the employer’s details (name, address and tax i.d. number as they appear on your payslip, as well as the Boss’ name and the employer’s phone number) and a short description of the reason for your complaint. Be precise and to the point, no need to elaberate.