Cabinet sets minimum quota of 7% public sector jobs for ultra-Orthodox
Over next three years, religious sector to gain greater representation in government work in effort to integrate community
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The cabinet decided Sunday to allocate at least seven percent of all public sector jobs in Israel to the ultra-Orthodox community, hoping to boost employment rates among the Haredi public.
The cabinet decision set a three-year deadline for the employment standards to be put in place, the government said. Each year, some 130 new jobs will be offered to members of the ultra-Orthodox community.
In 2017, ultra-Orthodox men and women made up 9% of the population between the ages of 20 and 64 and a total of 7% of the workforce.
The decision to ensure a quota of ultra-Orthodox Jews will be employed in the public sector was part of wider efforts to integrate the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel.
Interior Minister Aryeh Deri, head of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, said, “Today we made a historic move in the government and approved a dramatic decision that will affect the lives of thousands of ultra-Orthodox academics who have been unable to integrate into the labor market until now. From now, it will be easier for them and better for them and better for the Israeli economy.”
MK Uri Maklev of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party, praised the decision. “From today, ultra-Orthodox workers will not be at the bottom of the list,” he said, “to receive the rights they deserve and their proportional representation among government workers and the public sector,” Walla news reported.
Minister for Social Equality Gila Gamliel (Likud) said the move marked a real revolution in promoting equality for the ultra-Orthodox community.
The Times of Israel Community.