Judge Chooses to Be Lenient - Slaughterhouse That Employed Youth in Forbidden Work Cleared

The Regional Labor Court acquitted the 'Negev Chicken' slaughterhouse in Ofakim of employing ten minors in prohibited work, after the state appealed. It was ruled that responsibility lies with subcontractors, not the company, and that the law does not apply to a service provider when a direct employer exists. The judge criticized the state for failing to disclose information about forged ID cards.

The Regional Labor Court acquitted the 'Negev Chicken' slaughterhouse in Ofakim of all charges related to employing ten minors in work prohibited under the Youth Employment Law. The minors were employed through two subcontractors, and the state appealed an initial acquittal, arguing that the law aims to provide broad protection to minors and that responsibility should also be imposed on the service provider. The state claimed that the owner of the business where the minor works should be considered his employer, even if the work is performed through a contractor, and that the amendment to the law was intended to prevent evasion of responsibility through outsourcing. The company argued that the legislator deliberately chose not to include the service provider in the definition of employer, and that some of the minors used forged ID cards. The judge ruled that the section does not apply to a service provider when a direct employer exists, and therefore no criminal liability can be imposed on the company. The court upheld the acquittal and commented on the state's conduct in failing to disclose information regarding the forged documents.