Event to Launch a Hotline for Employers of Migrant Care Workers
Between Patients and Employers - Challenges Facing the Long-Term Care Patient as an Employer
ERC, Tel Aviv University, The Elga Cegla Clinical Law Program, The Workers’ Rights Clinic, The Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics
Event to Launch a Hotline for Employers of Migrant Care Workers
“Between Patients and Employers - Challenges Facing the Long-Term Care Patient as an Employer”
Sunday November 11, 2011, 18:00-20:00
Hosted by TraffLab, a research project on the approach to human trafficking (ERC) and the Workers’ Rights Clinic
18:00 Opening Remarks – Dr. Hila Shamir
18:10 Roundtable discussion – Participants:
Attorney Idit Zimmerman, Workers’ Rights Clinic
Idit Leibowitz – Presentation of the Hotline for Employers and an initial mapping of the types of issues raised by the hotline users.
Professor Liat Ayalon, Bar Ilan University School of Social Work
Attorney Yifat Solel, Legal Advisor, “Ken Lazaken – Promoting the Rights of the Elderly” - The Rights of the Care Worker - The Patients' Interest: The Need for Change in the Foundation of the Employment Structure of Care Workers in Israel
Orna Zamir, Manager of the Long-Term Care Branch, National Insurance of Israel – The National Insurance Institute point of view
19:0 Open Discussion – With audience participation
The power imbalance between the employer and employee and, in particular, the weaker bargaining position of the employee in relation to the employer are among the basic assumptions of labor law. This premise requires closer examination in relation to the employment of in-home care workers by dependent elderly. Employers of migrant care workers often describe their situation as one of someone who has been “stuck” in the status of an employer by necessity, and not out of volition. Their family and economic situation often does not allow for an alternative other than to employ a care worker, and the state offers hardly any other solutions to obtain quality individualized care.
Moreover, many people who are entitled to long-term care hours from the state find themselves in a particularly complex employment format, as joint employers together with the long-term care placement companies. In this sensitive area, both the employers and the workers find themselves in need of assistance on various issues related to the employment, as well as explanations in the areas of workers’ and patients’ rights. Experience in the field has demonstrated the existence of a real need for information and assistance to the patient-employers and their families. This understanding led to the foundation of the hotline, which is operated by the Workers’ Rights Clinic.
This evening seminar will present initial findings raised from inquiries to the hotline, followed by a roundtable discussion which will address from various perspectives on the issue and the challenges facing long-term care patients.
Tel Aviv University Buchmann School of Law, Room 303 (Event Number: 1132598)
For the Hebrew invitation click here
