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Saying no to 'parasites' stigma. Sunday's fair
Photo: Eli Mandelbaum
Assistance and guidance in joining labor market, writing resume
Photo: Eli Mandelbaum

4,000 haredim at employment fair

Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry surprised by overwhelming response to first-of-its-kind Jerusalem conference among ultra-Orthodox public. 'Haredim want to work,' participants stress

Some 4,000 ultra-Orthodox men and women this week attended a first-of-its kind employment fair held by the Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry at the Jerusalem International Convention Center.

 

The public's overwhelming response to the conference, which even took the fair's organizers by surprise, pointed to the haredi sector's growing need to integrate into the labor market.

 

The conference participants spoke to Ynet openly about the difficulties faced by haredim looking for work, the restrictions they must deal with due to their lifestyle and ways to overcome these difficulties – through compromises reached between employees and employers.

 

Asked about the "parasites" stigma attached to haredim, the participants stressed: "We want to work."

 

The fair was held in collaboration with the Jerusalem Municipality, the Israeli Employment Service, JDC-Israel, employers' organizations, factories, schools and others. Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Shalom Simhon and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat visited the ICC during the event.

 

Dozens of employers took part in the fair, including leading companies like Teva, Bank Hapoalim, Cellcom and Orange. According to the organizers, hundreds of jobs were offered.

 

Other participants included the Jerusalem College of Technology, the College of Management, the Temech association promoting employment and trade among haredim, and the Shahar Kachol program for the integration of haredim in the Israel Air Force.

 

The fair's visitors were offered assistance and guidance in joining the labor market and writing resumes.

 

Yair Hasson contributed to this report

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 07.30.11, 08:49
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