State Budget; Wages; Pension; Family and the Work Place
WP Session 2017
Old Age, Gender and Ageism
The 95th session of the Women’s Parliament took place on 24.2.17 at the Western Galilee College on “Old age, gender and ageism”. After a screening of Ofer Yanov’s film “Plattshkes”, a panel was moderated by Prof. Esther Hertzog, founder and coordinator of the Women’s Parliament. The panel included Prof. Frances Raday, Professor of Law at the College of Management and the Hebrew University, Prof. Tova Gamliel, Anthropology-Psychologist, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Bar Ilan University, Gila Klein, chairman of the “Nahal” faction in the Teachers’ Union, Nadia Hamdan, chairman of “Na’amat” in central Galilee, Dr. Linda Efroni, Advocate and Expert on the Labor Market. The panel addressed the different aspects and contexts of the retirement age and pensions, especially regarding women.
Professor Esther Hertzog emphasized the distinction between two social issues. One that demands an increase in the age of eligibility for pension for women, currently standing at 62, an issue that she claims harms women, especially those who work in abrasive professions. The second is related to the mandatory retirement at the age of 67, which affects both men and women. In her remarks, Esther referred to the significance of age based discrimination that is underlined in forced retirement.
Prof. Frances Raday spoke of “Equality in Theory and Practice and the Gap between them in Relation to Retirement from Work”. According to Raday, the quality of life and the income of women in old age symbolizes and summarizes the quality of social and economic life of women in general. She reviewed the existing pension schemes and reported on the results of a comparative study in which a correlation between poverty among women in old age and pensionary methods used in several countries was found. Frances concluded by saying that reforms and changes in pension plans favor the model of self-employment, a norm based on the (ideal) form of employment of men, and disregards that’s of women.
Prof. Tova Gamliel, in her lecture “Humanity on Stage: The Contribution of Dramatic Gestures to disguise Old Age Identity”, presented the element of drama as an identity “face-lift” that may undermine and even overcome gendered perceptions, both the active subject and the audience observing it. She proposed a possible solution to the problem of the social identity of the elderly women and men (“The Old Woman’s Mask”), embodied in the term “performance” and its meanings as dramatic gestures.
Gila Klein described the dismal situation in which teaching staff retire after 35 years with a very low, poverty pension and claim that teachers’ work should be limited to 25 years and that they should receive fair and respectable compensation, both during the working years and retirement years. “I am fighting to change the pension plans for teachers, as the situation is today, there is no future for those who enter the working cycle, and there is no future for those who retire”, she said.
Nadia Hamdan spoke about “the implications of raising the retirement age of women cleaners and other jobs involving physical labor” said that, by virtue of her work, she is involved in a great deal of activity done by the Knesset and in various initiatives to prevent raising the retirement age of women. She reviewed the main reasons why Arab women, especially Druze women who live in the periphery, are still the most discriminated against sector in the labor market.
Dr. Linda Efroni spoke about the “money behind the plan to raise the retirement age for women”. She reviewed the changes and developments that have taken place over the last few decades in the context with retirement age in general and women in particular. She said that the raising of the retirement age in June 2004 by Bibi Netanyahu, to 67 for men and 64 for women in two stages, led to the postponement of payment of old-age pensions to a population of about 800 thousand people, which resulted in savings of billions of shekels for the State every year. Thus, she concluded that raising the retirement age was not done out of concern for welfare of women or with the intention of achieving equality between the genders in the labor market, but for the sake of saving money by postponing payments of old-age pensions which in addition were brutally reduced by more than 40%.
WP Sessions 2014
My Daughter, my mother and the family’s finances
The 83rd session was hosted in Tel Aviv in November 2nd 2014.
Mom, can you buy me this? About small change that needs to be turned into a large sum – Tsafra Perlmutter
Why we succumb to the fear of money – Tali Heruti Sover
Where is the family’s money – Michal Zeevi
Consuming the future – Hagit Bechor
What did I learn in kindergarten today – Ella Alkalay
Retiring at my peak
The 82nd session was hosted in Tel Aviv in August 18th 2014.
Upon reaching the age of retirement, the amount of free time increases, we have a modest pension at our disposal, and some money from funds here and there. This is the time to dive into our career’s paycheck, and maximize the potential of human “capital” – both financial and social
Pension with a cleavage – Tsafra Perlmutter
Money is indeed for me – Esther Hertzog
The pension world – A crisis in the making – MK Michal Biran
Understanding the pension report and staying alive – Anat Nir
Getting through the bureaucracy safely – Barbara Swirski
The 3 most common and easily fixable pension errors – Eti Aflalo
From thought to action – Ella Alkalay
Click here for an article that was published in Haaretz website on 19.8.2014 >>
WP Session 2013
Does retirement kill?
The 76th session was hosted in Ramat-Gan in May 28th 2013.
Greetings:
Avihu Ben Moshe, Deputy Mayor, Ramat-Gan
Beryl Bergman, advisor on the advancement of women, Ramat-Gan
Professor Esther Hertzog, coordinator of Women’s Parliament
Opening lecture: From mandatory retirement to functional retirement – Professor Ruth Ben-Israel, jurist
Gila – in motion and the performing arts for women of elderly age – showing the work of the choreographer Galit Liss, featuring Basmat Hetzroni, Talma Dim,, Miri Geron, Tiki Navi, Shlomit Rib.
A personal angle: The humiliation of retirement – Professor Yaffa-Berlovitz, Bar-Ilan University, chairwoman of the Association of Feminist and Gender Studies
Mandatory retirement – an archaic law beyond gender – Irit Zehavi, consultant on work and retirement conditions for the public sector
Where is the equality? The Finance Ministry and raising the retirement age for women – Dr. Linda Efroni, expert on the job market
The voice of the retired teachers and the hands of the Finance Ministry officials – Gila Klein, chairwoman of the Nachal faction at the Teachers’ Union
What is the difference between mandatory retirement and age discrimination? – Shir-El Nakdimon, Attorney, executive at the Women’s Lobby
The discussion was moderated by: Billy Moscona-Lerman, journalist
WP Session 2011
How do age and look influence women’s careers?
The event took place in June and was hosted by Avi Ovental, the vice mayor of Mate Asher regional council. It was organized with the cooperation of Nili Alon, the mayor’s advisor on women’s issues, Dr. Daliah Perl-Ulshvang, marketing director of Lochameit Hagetaot Museum. Inbar Dotan, journalist from Kol Hatzafon radio convened the discussion and the panelists were: Michal Dagan, Dr. Rivka Nardi, Ragda Masalcha, Narkis Regev and Dr. Mira Rozen. Dorit Reuveni sang some of her well known songs.
The discussion brought up some disturbing data about women’s discrimination in the labor market, which deteriorates as age increases. The situation of women from disadvantaged groups is particularly difficult. The Arab women are the most conspicuous discriminated group, as they are blocked by traditional-cultural limitations, lack of employment opportunities and poor transportation services. A heated debate arose among the speakers and in the audience with regard to women’s suppression by stereotypes and dictates of young look, which are revealed in employment options. Similarly, even young women in the Kibbutz, which is perceived as relatively more equal from the gender perspective, face difficulties when they assume leading positions.
WP Session 2010
Women’s Perspectives on Employment and Periphery in the next Decade
The second session took place in April, in Mitzpe Ramon, during a weekend. This event was hosted by Flora Shushan, the mayor and Livant Chazan, the general director of the municipality.
On Friday night the Women Parliament’s visitors attended a play, which was performed for them by the students of arts studies from the local high-school.
The discussions, which took place on Friday and Saturday mornings, were moderated by Bili Moskuna Lerman. The discussants In the first part were: Dr. Linda Efroni (economist and lawyer), Viki Knafo (leader of single mothers’ struggle against the cuts in the allowances), Flora Shushan, Asma Agabria Zchalka (one of Ma’an’s heads), Shmulik Rifman (head of Ramat Hanegev, regional council and of regional councils’s center in the south, Henriette Dahan-Kalev, head of gender studies at Ben Gurion University.
The discussion that took place on Saturday focused on women’s cooperatives and professional unions.
The discussion brought up the significant differences between center and periphery with regard to employment, especially because of transportation problems and limited employment opportunities. The speakers expressed their criticism on the government policies and on its failure to stand up to its promises to the periphery. It was argued that while the government declares that it invests in developing the periphery it, in practice, neglects its difficulties and allows the preservation of poverty and discrimination. One example for this practice was the tranference of sewing uniform to overseas. Another example was the cuts in the allowances, which take place while the government enriches the rich and those who are close to decision makers. The speakers also discussed the option of developing small cooperatives and businesses as a promising alternative for places in the periphery and for Arab women, who face difficulties of mobility. However, it was indicated that this policy has various disadvantages and limitations and is largely associated to backward economies.
WP Session 2009
Women and Family supporting Organizations
The 57th session took place in Rishon Le’tzion in March 25th 2009. The event was hosted by Dov Tzur, the mayor, and was convened by Bili Moskuna-Lerman (a journalist). The panelists were: adv. Talila Shachal (the public service commissionership); Dr. Ronit Weismall-Manor (Academic College, Netanya); Eli Ramon (human resources director, Intel-Israel); Dr. Yael Ytzhaki (director of Neta).
The discussion brought up issues related to the inter-dependence relationships between the family and the labor market and to gender perspectives of women’s careers, in particular. The public service commissionership was called to develop adequate mechanisms which will serve to remove obstacles on women’s ways in the labor market and especially on women’s careers’ advancement. “Neta’s measurement” was described as quantifying the extent of organizations’ “friendliness” toward women and mothers in the work-place and their professional advancement. The speakers’ opinions with regard to the impact of women organizations’ activity and of the growing number of rules in the public service commissionership and of labor laws – differed considerably. Some of them pointed to the fact that no significant change has been achieved in women’s actual working conditions.
WP Session 2008
Women and the Labor Market in Times of Crisis and Privatization
The 55th session took place in Modi’in, in December 2008. The event was hosted by Haim Bibas, the mayor of Modi’in-Makabim-Reut. Miri Sa’ar (a journalist), convened the discussion. The speakers were: Dr. Orly Binyamin (sociologist from Bar Ilan University); Sonya Yovel (head of single-parent families in Vizo-Modi’in); Levana Shifman (financial consultant and member of the local council); Hanna Zohar (director of Kav La’oved); Asma Agabria-Zhalka (from Ma’an – association for assisting workers).
The panelists emphasized women’s difficulties at times of crisis and the additional difficulty of women in remote places like Modi’in. The hardships of women from the margins of the labor market, whose position is shaky, their salaries are minimal and who are responsible for small children, were described in details. Single-parent mothers, Arab women, migrant workers were some of the groups that were mentioned. The speakers stressed the need to setup an employment policy which takes into account the connection between the family and women’s work outside their households. They called the government to take steps which will put an end to the exploitation of under-privileged, weaker, groups.
WP Session 2006
Women and Entrepreneurship
The session took place in May 2006. The gathering took place in Shoham under the auspices of its mayor, Gil Livne. The panelists were: Dr. Syvil Heillbrun, Adv. Irit Rozenblum, Yoseffa Taviv-Calif, Dr. Yehudit Zusmanovitz, (ex) Chief warden Orit Adato and Iris Peled.
The main arguments presented in the discussion described the special difficulties women face, as compared to men, when entering the business world. Some recommendations of tactics and mental attitudes were offered to the women in the audience. “Small businesses” were suggested as most suitable for women who set out to start new careers and independent life. The discussion appeared to suggest that the growing process of women entering the business world is connected to deliberate feminist activity which aims at both encouraging women’s independence and raising their feminist awareness.
WP Session 2004
A Feminist Point of View on Pensions
The session took place in February 2004 in Hertzlia. Orly Vilnai Federbush convened the discussion and the panelists were: Moria Avnimelech, Bruriya Verona, Dr. Naomi Nevo, Prof. Frances Raday and Dr. Linda Efroni.
The debate exposed various anti-social interests behind the manipulated shifting public discourse on retirement funds. The processes of nationalizing various institutions by the ministry of treasure were criticized. Naomi Nevo’s (who was represented in court by Prof. Raday) successful struggle in courts, for equal age of retirement law brought her personal example that created precedent, to demonstrate the potential of women’s struggles for equal opportunities in the labor market. The need to obtain a financial plan for retirement was presented as a must for all women.
WP Sessions 2001
Economic and businesses in the shadow of October events
The second Parliament’s gathering took place in Haifa, on the 28th of January 2001 under the auspices of the mayors, Amram Mitzna from Haifa and Yael German from Hertzlia.
The discussion brought out the fact that many women in Arab settlements have entered, in the last decade, “small businesses” as owners and managers. Both, the Jewish and the Arab women emphasized the necessity and the possibility to cooperate, for the benefit of businesses as well as for the sake of everyone’s wellbeing.
The speakers were:
- Dr. Linda Effroni, an economist and a lawyer.
- Raia Shtraus-Ben Dror, owner of Shtrauss-Illit manufacturing.
- Etti Amor, an owner of Electronics factory.
- Maha Abd-El-Chai, owner of Gas station and a shop.
- Diana Suidan Bshara, director of a business in the food insustry.
The convener was Kiram Balum, coordinator of women’s section the Jewish-Arab center for economic development.
The Status of the Teacher and Teacher Training Colleges – from a Feminist Perspective
The sixth gathering of the Parliament took place on the 26th of June 2001 in Beit Berl College under the auspices of Dr. Aharon Zeidenberg, the director. The feminization of the education system and its implications in terms of work conditions and teachers’ salaries were emphasized in the discussion. Some of the speakers criticized the role of the teachers’ unions in the grave situation.
The speakers were:
- Dr. Tamar Ariav, a lecturer in Beit Berl.
- Dr. Linda Effroni, an economist and a lawyer.
- Chana Lahav, chair person of the teachers’ union’s pedagogic secretariat.
- Dr. Halla Spanioli, a lecturer in the Arabic college for education in Haifa.
- Chagit Gur-Ziv, a lecture in the Kibbutzim College in Tel Aviv.
- Bilha Admanit, a lecturer from Talpiot College in Jerusalem.
- Dr. Fadia Nasser, a lecturer in Beit Berl College and Tel Aviv University, was the convener.