Haaretz's social affairs correspondent Ruth Sinai has been awarded a citation by the Ometz non-profit organization, which fights corruption and advocates social justice.

A statement issued by Ometz this week said that Sinai earned the citation due to her advancing social issues and her concern for Israeli and foreign workers.

Sinai has been writing for Haaretz for 10 years. Before this year's general elections, the paper sent her to Yeruham for two months to file stories from the southern town. And during the recent war in Lebanon, she covered the effects of the Katyusha bombardment on northern residents.

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Sinai has recently covered the struggle of contracted workers against security companies employed by government ministries. The battle and subsequent widespread media coverage led the Finance Ministry to conduct a comprehensive review of government contracts with various security firms. As a result of the review, the government is considering imposing sanctions, including suspending work permits, against some of the firms.

"Social affairs journalism suffered for years from problems of lack of recognition and prestige due to the emphasis in society in general, and in the media in particular, on defense and political affairs," Sinai said this week. "I view this citation as an acknowledgment of the importance of social affairs journalism today."