New era of representation: 58 worker directors in companies’ boards reflect Histadrut’s democratic vision

Adi Marcus
May 26, 2025

Democracy has always been a core value of the Histadrut, which for more than a 100 years has operated as a democratic federation of trade unions. A major milestone in advancing this commitment is the recent election of 20 worker representatives to company boards since the beginning of 2024 — a direct result of the Histadrut’s ongoing efforts to promote industrial democracy.

In the past year alone, approximately 50,000 employees in government-owned companies took part in these elections, with voter turnout reaching an impressive 85% to 92%. Since 2021, a total of 58 worker directors have been elected. These appointments reflect the Histadrut’s belief that employees, with their deep understanding of the workplace, are uniquely positioned to contribute meaningfully to strategic decision-making.

Tomer Reznik, Chair of the Division for Industrial Democracy and Deputy Chair of the Histadrut, highlighted that while research confirms the economic benefits of involving workers in decision-making, the broader and more important goal is the cultivation of a democratic culture.

Ashdod Marine Services LTD is one of the public companies that has worker directors| Illustration: Shutterstock

“Democratic regimes are under attack and undergoing change,” Reznik stated. “That is precisely why it is no luxury to speak about democracy today — including in the workplace.”

He explained that the concept of industrial democracy — the integration of workers into decision-making processes, including participation on company boards — first developed in Europe, particularly in Germany, as a lesson learned from the devastation of World War II and the rise of Nazism. It was part of a broader effort to instill democratic consciousness within society.

Reznik emphasized that the Histadrut aims to expand this model beyond the public sector and into the private sector as well.
“This is the future of organized labor,” he affirmed.

By embracing this model of co-determination, the Histadrut seeks to reinforce democratic principles within Israel’s labor landscape. Broadening the practice to include private companies will help create a more inclusive and participatory framework for corporate governance.

At a time when Israeli society faces significant threats and challenges, the Histadrut remains firmly committed to defending and advancing democratic values — not only within the workplace but across society at large. Supporting workers’ committees in electing board representatives is just one facet of this broader mission.

This mission also includes taking a strong stance in the national conversation about democracy. Most recently, in March 2025, Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David led a coalition of leaders from business, labor, healthcare, and high-tech in issuing a stark warning: any attempt by the government to defy Supreme Court rulings would cross a “red line” and risk triggering a constitutional crisis, ultimately threatening the democratic foundations of the state.

Through these efforts, the Histadrut reinforces the idea that democracy is not just a political ideal, but a lived experience that begins in our workplaces and communities.

This article includes information originally published by Davar.

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