{"id":3105,"date":"2022-04-12T14:42:18","date_gmt":"2022-04-12T11:42:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sowtna.com\/?p=3105"},"modified":"2022-08-23T15:37:08","modified_gmt":"2022-08-23T12:37:08","slug":"the-scorching-sun-of-the-new-aliyah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sowtna.com\/?p=3105&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"The scorching sun of the new aliyah"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"s3\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">According to some estimates current 2022 \u201cwartime Aliya\u201d may reach up to<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> 800\u00a0000<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> and thus become the second in magnitude wave of repatriation after the Great Aliya from the USSR in early 90s<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">And all these people will arrive at the Israeli labor market<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">, w<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">hich is quite peculiar and not always welcoming to the people from the former USSR<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Representatives of <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Dor<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Moria<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> investigated potential difficulties that may be encountered by the Russian speaking Israelis and what steps may be undertaken to protect their labor rights<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> when they are employed in one of the most popular sector \u2013 <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">installation of solar panels.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s5\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s4\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Arbeit<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s4\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Macht<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s4\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Frei<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s8\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">\u00ab<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s7\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Don<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s7\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">\u2019<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s7\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">t<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s7\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">walk<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s7\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s7\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">People<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s7\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">must<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s7\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">run<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s7\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">here<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s7\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s7\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">If not, you can easily be replaced<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">\u00bb: \u2014 <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">shouts <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">kablan<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> at the workers installing solar panels. \u201cYou may not stand or seat, you must be constantly moving even when you have nothing to do<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">\u00bb.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s8\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">In Israel <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">kablans<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> is the name for subcontractors outsourced by big companies. It is done in order to reduce social security expenses and wages. Israel is <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Clondyke<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> for <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">kablans<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> \u2013 they are used by a quarter of employers, whilst in USA and in Western Europe it amounts to only 5%<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s8\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">But even with <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">kablan<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> intermediation it is fairly difficult to find work with wages 35-40 shekels per hour. And such work would last 12-14 hours a day, including transportation<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> time<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. Of course one can get registered with different groups and with Employment Bureau<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> But<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">it<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">could<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">hardly<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">help<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s8\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Work that brings you 420 shekels a day <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">for 8 hours at the open air looks attractive. Installation of solar panels is highly sought employment compared to assembly lines, plastic manufacturing and night time inventory management predominantly offered by employment bureaus \u2013 it promises short work hours and comparatively high wages<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">It<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">offers<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">some<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">degree<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">of<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">economic<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">freedom<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">In Israel solar energy generation is <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">aggressively <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">introduced all over the country<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> Solar plants are built on the roofs, on top of water reservoirs in kibbutz and farms. It is a very dynamic sector supported by investors and privileged loan schemes. Global warming campaign provides some political agenda to these projects. The Ministry of Energy plans to increase energy generat<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">ion from renewable sources from<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">17 to<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> 30%<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> by the year 2030<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Essentially such ambitious plan needs a great contingent of hired hands <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">that now coming to Israel<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s5\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s4\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">You<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s4\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">should<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s4\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">have<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s4\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">started<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s4\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">yesterday<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s8\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">I dial a number given in a notice<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> \u00ab<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s7\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">need workers for installing solar panels on roofs and water reservoirs<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s7\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">\u00bb. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Cheerful voice answers me that work is not difficult and you do not need any training<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">, w<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">ork hours from 6.30 to 15.00, rate 420 shekels a day<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s6\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">, transportation provided. Subcontractor, let us call him Oleg, tells me that you should have started yesterday, the work requires a lot of physical activity<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. You can get cash, or you can be officially registered in the payroll ledger. There is even a mixed option <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">available \u2013 partially you get cash and<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">partially from official ledger.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> That is done in order not to reach 9000 after which you would have to pay much higher tax.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> Black market employment includes a significant part of solar panels installation sector<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> And the question whether<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> solar generation companies are aware of the fact that their subcontractors breach the Israeli legislation is purely rhetorical.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Subcontractor Oleg included me into a <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Whatsup<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> group which publishes notices about next day vacancies after 20.00 and provides transportation arrangements<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Transportation<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">is<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">provided<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">by<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">cars<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">with<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> 4-5 <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">passengers<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Work starts at 6.30, correspondingly you need to leave Haifa <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">at 4.30-5.00. The car picks up workers <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">en<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> route and the trip lasts 2 hours one way. Naturally transportation costs are not covered<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">As I was informed by <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">kablan<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> work ends at 15.00, that is it lasts 8 hours plus 30 minutes for a lunch break. You must be moving 8 hours non-stop and you can relax for only 30 minutes during the lunch break<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">But this arrangement normally is not observed<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> and the work ends at 15.20<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> To persuade <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">kablan<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> Oleg that these 20 minutes a <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">day add up to a decent sum by the end of the month which he pockets is impossible.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s5\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s4\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Weather<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s10\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">At my first work day they brought us to the Jordan border to a<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> desalination pond for farm water. All over Israel they install floating solar plants on such ponds<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">They gave us helmets and light reflecting vests in compliance with industrial safety requirements. Whatever else needed we have to provide ourselves<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">The work consists of assembling panels together and moving them to the water There are several designs of assembly with different types of floats, types of panels and dif<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">ferent<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> ways of assembly into a single <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">floating unit<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">There are some fairly simple designs and some are more complicated<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">At new sites local engineers may spend weeks trying to understand specifics of the design, sometimes they need to reassemble panels<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Design drawings often have nothing to do with real hardware, hence they use try and fail technique<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s10\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Outdoor work has its advantages and disadvantages. Two main disadvantages are called the <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s11\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">sun<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> and the <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s11\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">rain. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">In winter during <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">rainy<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> season there is no work when it rains and the downtime is not paid<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">We get to know if the work is available after 20.00<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">I do not kn<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">ow what weather forecast agency<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> Oleg uses but it often happened that the work was cancelled due to the rain forecast, but the rain did not show up<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Sometimes you get up at 4.00 and at 5.00 you learn that the work is cancelled due to the rain forecast. During some winter months you work 10 days only, which essentially affects your wages<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> In spring the sun becomes a major natural disadvantage. The sun turns <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">it into hell. The panels are so hot it is impossible to touch them, the air is exceedingly hot and you are lucky if there is no dust <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">in <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">the air<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Shoe soles sometimes melt, you can get a burn if you accidentally touch the hardware<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">, <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Workers often get sunstroke. They are taken then into the shadow to cool down<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Work schedule when you have to move non-stop for 8 hours<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> without relax leads to excessive heating, which is a health hazard<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Drinking<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">water<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">is<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">a<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">separate<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">issue<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">In<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">winter<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">water<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">is<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">not<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">supplied<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">to<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">the<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">site<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Workers need to bring their own water. In summer water is brought in tanks, but often the water supply is not sufficient \u2013 in hot weather people drink a lot<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s5\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s4\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Proletarian International<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">The team consists of Russian speakers from all over dormer Soviet Union<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> Repatriates from Russia, Ukraine. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Kirgistan<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">, Moldova, <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Belorus<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">and also representatives of Ethiopian community and <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Sabres<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">But Russian speakers are in <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">majority. Newcomers work together with <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">oldtimers<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> with more than 20 years of Israeli labor market experience<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Kolya<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> from Kazakhstan, Igor from Uzbekistan, Sasha from the <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Transcarpathian<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">, Oleg from the Crimea, Alexei from Saint-Petersburg and many other from the former Soviet Union keep together in Israel and they enjoy rather low social and economic status<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Many in the team used to work at plastic factories, did night stock inventory, unloaded containers and ended up with assembling solar panels<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">When I ask how long have they been working here, it turns out that no longer than 4 months<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Not<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">all<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">can<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">survive<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">the<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">burning<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">sun<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Then after a year of such employment they are entitled to get various social benefits. It is not profitable for the <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">kablan<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. Much easier is to get rid of a worker before the deadline<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">With the dissidents <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">kablan<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> Oleg coped easily<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> If somebody started to ask too many questions, the <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">kablan<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">excluded him from mailing of vacancies for the next day, which means loss of money and employment<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> This trick he repeated with many dissidents and with those who had asked for a day off<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> without notice<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Oleg did not choose between sticks and carrots in his incentive schemes. He used stick exclusively, shouting \u201cmove, move\u201d also he used downtime as warning to dissidents<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> Obviously<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">all<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> \u201c<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">carrots<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">\u201d <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">he<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">left<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">for<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">himself<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Unfortunately<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> workers are unaware of health protection regulations pertaining to time limitation<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> under scorching sun, to haw many breaks a worker is entitled to have, to water supply <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">arrangements <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">and provision of protective garments<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> Even foremen that worked over a year have difficulties trying to get this information<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Tall and rather phlegmatic<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">foreman from Moldova, Alex, told that he tried to find health protection regulations pertaining to time limitations under the scorching sun, but could not<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Me, being a veteran of trade union movement and a member of <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Gistadruga<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> for more than 4 years<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">,<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> promised him to get something from the trade union<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s5\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s4\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Trade Unions \u2013 Lessons Unlearned<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">I have my personal experience with labor protection issues<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">I<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">was<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">always<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> \u201c<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">lucky<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">\u201d <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">with<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">my<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">employers<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">My first employer for whom I worked one and a half year has not even been registered with <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Bitaukh<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Leump<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">(Institute for National Insurance) and all his insurance certificates were faked<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">My second employer disappeared after <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">pandemic<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">without paying social insurance for two years of work and without issuing an official <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">discharge notice<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Just disappeared into the blue. I have personal experience that nobody is prepared to protect labor rights of the repatriates<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">The only remaining option is to use a lawyer and if you are lucky enough you can get your money back through the court, but it may take not less than a year<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Both times I could not get any assistance or any consultation in Russian in Haifa Department <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">of <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Gistradrut<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">(<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Trade Union Confederation<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">), a<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">lthough<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> I was a trade union member<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">My personal negative experience with <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Gistradrut<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> \u00a0forced<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">me to look for other independent trade unions<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">This intension was substantiated by the data: number of <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Gistradrut<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> members fell down from<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> 85% <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">to<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> 26%<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> for the last 20 years<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">And the trend persists. With larger public companies like Electric Company or Israel Railroad Company <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Gistradrut<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> has some influence on corporate policy through its connection with politicians and public servants<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> But predominant majority or workers, especially in private companies and recruitment agencies could not protect their rights through the trade unions and they have to face <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s14\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">high-handedness<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s14\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> of employers alone<\/span><\/span><a name=\"_GoBack\"><\/a><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Theoretically in Israel mechanism of labor protection is available through the trade unions and collective agreements with employers stipulating <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">labor conditions and arrangements<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">In views of dynamic development of solar energy sector<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> one could expect setting up solar energy sector dedicated trade union or a branch in the existing trade union<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Similar trade union exist for securities and <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">carers<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> I witnessed setting up trade union branch for the <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">carers<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> in <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Gistradrut<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">, how a collective agreement was signed between <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Gistradrut<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">, <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Bituakh<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Leumi<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> and the <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Carers<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> Association<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> But <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Gistradrut<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> is a too clumsy bureaucratic machine which could be reached from the ab<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">ove only<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">In case of <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">carers<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> setting up a dedicated branch in <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Gistradrut<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> was lobbied by MP <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Tali<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Ploskova<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s8\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">I arranged a meeting with <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Maan<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> independent trade union coordinator <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Joavom<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> Gal <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Tamir<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> who explained to me all difficulties involved in setting up trade union with production companies<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">First, to set up a branch it is nece<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">ssary to have 30% of employees <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">that worked for the com<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">pany at least 6 months that support<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> setting up a <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">branch and becoming<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> a member<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">That is a major stumbling block for the procedure. Nobody knows how many work teams uses <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">kablan<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> and on what sites. Besides, as it was stated above, very few work for longer than 4 months and majority work illegally without official registration<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Moreover<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">,<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> it is difficult to explain advantages provided by trade union membership, whilst disadvantages are clear \u2013 you would have to pay membership fees and your employer may just fire you for such initiative<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s4\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s8\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Situation with labor protection in solar energy sector stays on the level of Israeli jungle capitalism<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Workers officially employed by large public companies and <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">workers hired by <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">kablans<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> for similar jobs these are two different social classes with <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">different wages and social protection arrangements<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">It should be noted that the main supporter of such discrimination is the state of Israel. To provide full package of social protection and insurance is a great burden on the budget<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">That is why all this socialist rhetoric is reserved for the <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Sabres<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> and other privileged social groups<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> For repatriates from the former Soviet Union it is jungle capitalism only<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s4\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s8\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Before election <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">of new Chairman of <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Gistradrut<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">, which will take place on May 24, 2022, it would probably be instrumental to offer this politically important mission to the competitors which are prepared to pay attention to the situation in solar generation sector<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s4\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Maybe present <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Gistradrut<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> Chairman <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Arnon<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> Ben David or his competitor <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Ofer<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> Ani will take care of this problem out of PR consideration.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">There are some pending questions to be answered<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"s15\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s12\">\u2022 <\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Should solar panels assembly work be qualified as hazardous occupation in Israel<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">?<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"s15\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s12\">\u2022 <\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">What are health protection arrangements pertaining to work under the sun?<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p class=\"s16\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">I sent a query to the Israeli Institute of Industrial Safety and Labor Hygiene and I am waiting for their answer and for continuation of the discussion<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s17\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Igor <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Kaminnik<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>According to some estimates current 2022 \u201cwartime Aliya\u201d may reach up to 800\u00a0000 and thus become the second in magnitude wave of repatriation after the Great Aliya from the USSR in early 90s. And all these people will arrive at the Israeli labor market, which is quite peculiar and not always welcoming to the people [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"_jet_sm_ready_style":"","_jet_sm_style":"","_jet_sm_controls_values":"","_jet_sm_fonts_collection":"","_jet_sm_fonts_links":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1224],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3105","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-opinion"],"lang":"en","translations":{"en":3105},"pll_sync_post":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sowtna.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3105","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sowtna.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sowtna.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sowtna.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sowtna.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3105"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sowtna.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3105\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sowtna.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3105"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sowtna.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3105"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sowtna.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3105"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}