Matf Employees Protest First International Bank CEO Over Salary Deductions
Employees of First International Bank's IT subsidiary, Matf, protested against CEO Eli Cohen over disputed salary deductions during a holiday event, despite a recent labor agreement.
Employees of Matf, the IT subsidiary of the First International Bank, staged a protest against CEO Eli Cohen during a festive Rosh Hashanah toast event, chanting "give us our money back" and displaying signs over salary deductions amounting to thousands of shekels. Workers claim deductions were made for hours and days they actually worked, demanding refunds. The protest comes shortly after management reached an agreement with the New Histadrut and the workers' committee, ending a labor dispute declared in June over the merger into the bank.
Labor Agreement and Merger Context
Last week, the bank, Matf, the New Histadrut, and the workers' committee signed a memorandum of understanding officially ending the labor dispute and halting legal proceedings. The agreement included stopping labor sanctions and returning to full operations while setting a concentrated negotiation period until October 31 regarding the technological synergy and merger.
"The merger process in the bank has launched and will be managed professionally, maturely, and matter-of-factly," management stated. "Whoever tries to ridicule the future of the employees will have to do it alone and bear the consequences."
Management Response
CEO Eli Cohen praised the initial agreements last week, emphasizing the vital role of Matf employees in the group's technological operations.
"Matf employees form the technological and operational spearhead of the group and are central partners in its success. Merging Matf into the bank is a correct and necessary strategic step," Cohen stated.
