Histadrut opens a new branch in Harish to serve 100,000 future residents

At the beginning of this week, the Histadrut expanded its physical footprint with the inauguration of a new service branch in the rapidly growing city of Harish. This expansion marks a significant milestone in our mission to ensure that professional support, legal protection, and social welfare services are accessible to every worker in Israel.

Laying the union foundation for a growing city

Harish is an emerging urban centre in the north of the country. Formally declared a city council in 2022, the municipality is currently in the midst of an unprecedented boom, with projections indicating it will reach 100,000 residents in the coming years. Recognising this rapid trajectory, we have established a permanent anchor in the heart of the city to serve as a vital resource for both existing organised labour and the thousands of families arriving to live and work in the area.

Operated under the professional direction of the Histadrut’s Hadera District, the new branch is situated on Harish’s main thoroughfare and is more than just an office; it is a dedicated platform for unionisation. While the centre provides essential services to current members, it also offers a solid framework and easy access for new residents to organise and secure their futures within this developing labour market.

“This is an important and moving moment that was long overdue,” Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David stated during the ceremony. “Opening a branch on the main street of Harish allows us to be exactly where the workers need us.”

Local leadership with deep roots

The new branch is led by Pichi Dubiner, a longtime worker of the Histadrut and the labour movement whose career has come full circle with this appointment. A resident of the nearby community of Katzir, Dubiner’s journey in organised labour began years ago as the Chairman of the Workers’ Committee for what was then the Katzir-Harish municipality. His local expertise and lifelong commitment to the region ensure that Harish’s workers are represented by someone who truly understands their unique needs.

“For me, seeing Harish grow into a city, and its workers receiving a powerful, professional and warm home, is a real closure and a true honor to lead this project,” Dubiner remarked. “Together we will work, and together we will succeed.”

Strengthening local partnerships and industry

During the inauguration event, the Histadrut leadership met with Harish Acting Mayor Yochai Faraj and Sonia Korcher, Chairperson of the Municipal Workers’ Committee, to coordinate efforts in enhancing employment stability and worker welfare across the city.

The Histadrut leadership also took the opportunity to visit the workers of Infinia Ltd. plant, a leading company in recycling and sustainable packaging.

“We will know how to lend a shoulder and assist in every way possible,” added Bar-David. “Together we will do amazing things for the benefit of the workers, the city, and the Histadrut.”

The infrastructure for labour rights must grow at the same pace as the residential and commercial developments. We recognise that without a solid platform for collective bargaining and accessible legal support, workers in developing municipalities face higher risks of precarious employment. The Histadrut is committed to bringing our professional expertise to Harish to ensure that workers’ protections, dignity, and voices of the working class are heard.