A deadlock in extended negotiations between workers federation Histadrut and the Isareli financial ministry has led to strikes across several ports.

A strike by 2,500 port employees over pay in the ports of Haifa, Ashdod and Eilat began yesterday at 6am meaning there will be no loading or unloading at the sites. These strike began after negotiations held late into the night on Sunday reached an impasse, according to local sources.

Large quantities of Sunrise grapefruit and easy peelers - already packed and stored - are likely to be blocked from export by the strike.

Peppers and tomatoes, normally taken by road from the Arava in the Great Rift Valley in the south to the ports, are also likely to suffer.

It is understood workers are demanding a five per cent pay increase after the government agreed a wage rise to all employees in the public sector. In addition, there is disagreement about extra pay promised in February 2010.

A week-long strike would cost the economy 400 million shekels and it will petition the High Court of Justice if it does not finish within 48-hour, the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce, according to Bloomberg.

Agricultural sources announced that they “will not allow any kind of strike which will cause this sector a severe damage by throwing away huge quantities of decayed fruit and vegetable”.

But "we could [soon as for a] demand of compensation because of failure to fulfil obligations given to European chain stores," said one Israeli exporter.

A finance ministry statement said salaries for port employees hired after February 2005 average 13,400 shekels ($2,435) a month.

That compares with an average monthly wage of 8,356 shekels as of September, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics website.

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