In spite of a decision last week by Israel's National Labor Tribunal ordering laborers to return to work at Haifa and Ashdod, the ports there are operating at less than 25% of capacity.

As a result of the labor disruptions, more than 50 ships were stranded at the ports waiting unloading / loading operation. Many vessels left without taking export goods, while shipping companies such as MSC and Zim Integrated Shipping Services declared "Termination of Voyage" and started to divert cargos to ports in Turkey - Mersin, Cyprus - Limassol and Egypt.

The dispute began on August 25 after the Israeli government passed an Economic Arrangements Law which workers say amounts to a unilateral decision to privatize the ports.

The decision handed down on September 2 by a panel of seven judges also ruled that the government would refrain from carrying out its decision to restructure the ports, which would allow docks to be leased to external operators.

In its position paper submitted to the court, the State claims that its decision does not jeopardize workers' employment, and that the reform clarifies that the government's decision does not negate collective wage agreements signed with port workers, and that any change will be implemented only after hearing their representative's position.

Government and labor have been ordered to negotiate a settlement until the next hearing of the National Labor Tribunal on September 21.