Israel's powerful workers' federation has threatened to shut down the international airport, banks, stock exchange and all government offices from next Wednesday in protest over what it says is the state's inaction over construction site deaths.
Thirty-seven workers have died on building sites across Israel since the beginning of 2018, and 200 others have been seriously injured.
Workers at many private companies including telecoms firms and train and bus companies are also expected to join the strike.
The Histadrut labor federation has demanded that the government adopt European construction standards, beef up safety measures and enforce a law on wearing safety harnesses.
"It is shocking and repulsive that in 2018 in Israel, nobody cares [about construction deaths]. People wake up in the morning, bid farewell to their families, go to work and don't come back," Histadrut Chairman Avi Nissankoren said at a union conference on Thursday.
Thousands of Histadrut members and union heads participated in the conference.
"We will not compromise when it comes to human lives. We're calling an open-ended general strike starting next Wednesday," Nissankoren said.
"This will be a difficult strike but we will be on strike until the government resolves this issue."
Nissankoren has written to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Labor, Welfare and Social Services Minister Haim Katz and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, urging them to act in response to the labor dispute and to improve safety.
The Histadrut wants the government to spend an additional 20 million shekels ($5.4 million) on hiring more safety inspectors.
The Prime Minister's Office declined to comment on the potential strike.
A statement by the Finance Ministry said it "places great importance on improving work safety at construction sites and assists the Labor and Welfare Ministry in implementing the necessary measures."
It said 100 inspectors are responsible for enforcement on construction sites.
Katz seemed to encourage the strike, saying Thursday, "I hope this isn't going to be a mere warning and that the Histadrut really goes on strike, until we get all the inspectors we need."
