The Knesset on Monday approved the first reading of a proposed bill that requires government offices and private sector companies to pay sub-contractor workers if their direct employers fail to do so themselves.

If the bill is ratified, it will greatly improve the terms of employment of thousands of such workers, who usually receive low wages, are denied permanency status, and who often go unpaid due to the conditions of their employment.

Eighteen MKs voted in favor of the proposal, submitted by MKs Dov Khenin (Hadash), Shelly Yacimovich (Labor) and Lia Shemtov (Yisrael Beiteinu).

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Last minute pressure failed to prevent coalition members from voting in favor of the bill, that the finance ministry says will cost NIS 10 million and therefor require at least 51 votes out of 120 to approve it.

The proposal, drawn up by a civil rights group, is aimed at protecting the rights of thousands of workers hired mostly as security guards, gardeners and maintenance workers.

"The law will spark a revolution in worker-employee relations in Israel," Khenin said. "We'll stop closing the government's and big hirers' eyes to the deplorable conditions in which employees are hired."