Permanent employees currently not in civil service and who are employed by the State to operate and maintain the foreign trade zone in the department of business, economic development, and tourism shall be converted to permanent civil service status within the meaning of chapter 76 without the necessity of examination and shall be accorded all the rights, benefits, and privileges attributable thereto. Such rights and privileges shall include seniority, prior service credit, vacation and sick leave credits, and other benefits and privileges accorded employees with civil service status. Employees so converted shall not suffer a reduction in their pay rate.