Histadrut leads parliamentary discussion on expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities

A special session of the Knesset Lobby for the Rights of People with Disabilities was held yesterday (Monday), initiated by the Histadrut in collaboration with MK Debbie Biton (Yesh Atid) and MK Pnina Tamano-Shata (National Unity). The discussion focused on strategies to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities in Israel and to remove barriers that hinder their integration into the labor market.

The meeting was led by the Histadrut’s Division for Employment of People with Disabilities, headed by Guy Simchi. During the session, participants reviewed updated data, new initiatives, and inspiring success stories from employees and employers who have implemented meaningful inclusion processes.

Dozens of stakeholders from across the economy attended, including representatives of workers’ organizations, employers, government ministries, local authorities, civil society organizations, and people with disabilities and their families. Ruth Yaron-Ambiya presented the Histadrut-Municipal Model, while Moran Nachmias, representing local authorities, shared insights from Eilat, where the model has transformed employment opportunities for thousands of workers. The model is already active in cities such as Ramat Gan, Rishon LeZion, and Tel Aviv, and will soon expand to Jerusalem and Be’er Sheva.

At the heart of the discussion was the model developed by the Histadrut’s Division for Employment of People with Disabilities in cooperation with the Eilat Municipality and the National Insurance Funds Division. The model is based on three pillars: identifying potential job opportunities, providing professional support to employers, and ensuring the continuous retention of employees. According to Guy Simchi, full implementation of the model across the economy could save the Israeli economy up to 5 billion shekels annually.

Simchi emphasized:

“Employment is the key to economic security and social integration, especially for people with disabilities. For over a decade, the Histadrut has been working to lay a professional and effective foundation that creates real opportunities. To succeed, we need the cooperation of all stakeholders—and that is exactly why we gathered here today.”

The session also featured a personal moment when Odelia Mauda, Assistant to the Commissioner for Employment of People with Disabilities at the Histadrut, shared her perspective:
“After a decade of fighting for workers’ rights in the ultra-Orthodox sector, I am here out of deep commitment as a mother of a child with a disability. This is a national mission of the highest order. Its success is the success of us all—workers, organizations, employers, and society as a whole.”

At the conclusion of the discussion, participants called for expanding the implementation of the Histadrut model nationwide, strengthening partnerships among all stakeholders. The Histadrut reaffirmed its commitment to continue leading this effort to promote equal opportunities, social justice, and open the doors of employment to more and more people with disabilities.