Protests at Polgat as factory closes
According to reports, Polgat Ltd's decision to close its textile factory in Kiryat Gat, southern Israel, has met with extreme resistance from workers.
Around 150 employees at the plant were made redundant last year in an attempt to lower costs. However, the company, which produces woven fabric and apparel, was reportedly struggling to keep the factory going. It claims the exchange rate has pushed wool and energy prices to a level that is unsustainable.
The unit, which is scheduled to close in mid April, employs approximately 300 staff. And, although workers will be given severance pay, many have staged protests in the city. A number of workers locked themselves inside the factory in protest against the closure, setting tires alight. They are complaining about the compensation being offered as well as the job losses themselves.
