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Photo: Haim Zach

Haredi employment rates in J'lem spike

Manufacturers Association of Israel's data reveals 70% rise in ultra-Orthodox employment figures in capital over period of five years

Employment rates among the ultra-Orthodox community in Jerusalem have increased by 70% since 2004, a Manufacturers Association of Israel (MAI) report revealed Wednesday.

 

According to the report, some 2,800 haredim are employed in 380 of the capital's facilities, and while the majority of them are women, the MAI report did note there is an increasing integration of the sector's men in various industries.

 

According to the data, Israeli industries employ 20,000 haredim nationwide, 11,000 of whom are women. Traditional industries, however, remain a fraction of the sector's employment sources, as the majority joins the education system, the precious stones industry and various trades.

 

"The reasons for this change are varied," Itzhak Reif, head of MAI's Jerusalem branch, told Ynet. "I assume the main reason is population growth, which combined with low income rates led to the conclusion that they can't go on sustaining themselves like that.

 

"The change emanated from the (community's) public opinion, but eventually even the rabbis understood that it is both unnecessary and unreasonable to expect everyone to no nothing but study…. Also, budget cuts and the financial crisis have increased the (monetary) crunch.

 

"Overall, this is a very positive change. A person should be responsible for himself."

 

Reif believes that employers must encourage the trend: "The most important thing is professional training. Jerusalem already has several technological training centers and we need to have as many of them as possible.

 

"The ultra-Orthodox community is also contributing – they have special aid funds which help those undergoing job training… I hope the heads of the haredi community will allow more yeshiva students to seek professional training the join the workforce."

 


פרסום ראשון: 05.20.09, 12:39
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