Decent work and labor relations based on social partnership are the objectives of our activities.
Social justice is a central pillar of social democracy, which is what we stand for. Trade unions are key actors in promoting social justice. Consequently, strengthening trade unions is one of the core tasks of FES-activities worldwide and in Israel, thus promoting social dialogue and labor relations based on social partnership.
As the official representative of Germany’s Confederation of Trade Unions (DGB) in Israel, we collaborate with the Histadrut, Israel’s trade union federation, its youth movement, the Noar HaOved ve HaLomed, and other partners to promote social justice, empower trade unionists, analyze social policy and improve the tripartite dialogue between employers, employees and the state.

Practically, in cooperation with Histadrut, we offer workshops for members of work councils on workers’ rights and ways of organizing workers. International organizations like the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) are important partners in our work in Israel. We organize international seminars and conferences in order to discuss worldwide experiences on global issues like minimum labor standards or the concept of “decent work” and its implications on the Israeli labor market. Gender issues and women’s rights are addressed as well.
There is a special focus on exchange programs between Israeli and German trade unions. These encounters are based on three pillars: The world of labor and its common challenges for modern trade unions, the social and political situation in Israel and/or Germany and Europe and the remembrance of the Shoah and its meaning for the bilateral relations between Israel and Germany.
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung has the mandate of Germany’s Confederation of Trade Unions (DGB) to put in place projects which help strengthen independent, representative, pluralistic and democratic trade unions in foreign countries.
Read our latest publications in the field of LABOR RELATIONS!
Overview of our Previous and Upcoming Events in the field of LABOR RELATIONS!