The Embassy of the State of Israel in Nigeria has announced the suspension of all Protocol, Diplomatic and Consular services in the country until further notice.
The development, according to a statement by Mr Tony Obiechina, Senior Media and Political Officer, Embassy of Israel, Abuja, was sequel to the ongoing industrial action by workers of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs to press for improved conditions of service for the entire Foreign Service personnel worldwide.
Obiechina quoted a statement from the Foreign Workers’ Association in Jerusalem, as saying that the action became necessary “because of the procrastination on the part of the finance ministry and its failure to make any progress in resolving the labor dispute.”
The measures, the statement added, are being implemented by all Israeli missions abroad and are the result of a full year of fruitless negotiations between the Israel Foreign Ministry’s Workers’ Union and the Israel Ministry of Finance.
“This is a last resort according to the recognized rights of workers under Israeli law,” it said. Full text of the statement reads: “The Foreign Service Workers’ Association wishes to inform you that all Protocol and Consular services and treatment provided to the foreign diplomatic corps – missions and international organizations, diplomatic staff, and foreign domestic employees — working for the missions and residences would be suspended with effect from Wednesday, 5 March, until further notice.
“As part of the suspension, the Israel Missions will not be able to deal with matters pertaining to official visits to Israel and no visas to Israel will be issued. “In keeping with directive of the Foreign Workers Association, the Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria, Mr. Uriel Palti and other diplomatic staff dress casually to work and would not attend any official functions.
“The Embassy wishes to apologize for any inconvenience this might cause the members of the public.”
Source: New Telegraph
