[I have written a number of times to Bennett urging him to focus on getting the Hareidi into the workforce rather than into the IDF.]
Minister of Labor and Trade Naftali Bennett has revealed a plan to reduce the cost of professional training and to encourage those in training courses to put their skills to use.
The Ministry of Trade will cover up to 85% of the cost of training courses for those who are eligible, Bennett said. In addition, those who go on to work in the field will be eligible for a NIS 1,500-2,000 bonus.
The government will put NIS 30 million toward the program in 2013 and 2014, ministry staff said. Certain sectors of the population have been marked as high priority for the program, and other employment initiatives, among them hareidi-religious men, Arab women and the handicapped.
Hareidi-religious women, Arab men, former prisoners and single parents are also on the priority list.
When Bennett entered office he spoke of Israel’s obligation to help job seekers enter the workforce. He spoke this week about his new program.
“The time has come to give everyone who wants to work a fishing rod, not a fish,” he said. “I am willing to invest in these rods, which will bring lots of fish.”
“We will work to give as many tools as possible so that anyone who wants to can join the workforce and make a living with dignity,” he continued. “The focus will be on populations with particularly low rates of employment… I believe that a small push at the start can set a process in motion that will increase Israeli production and help reduce the cost of living in Israel.”
@ Canadian Otter:
Agree completely.
yamit82 Said:
I expect that this would be an important factor to politicians and businessmen who are weighing the land concessions in YS against the potential arab trade in peacetime. What is Israels low tech trade with Jordan and egypt?
We have seen in the past several years that after educating the Arabs in various skilled trades and professions the Arabs undercut their Jewish competitors by working for less pay or professional remuneration. Israeli sofware companies are even outsourcing some or parts of their projects to Pali companies in Y&S.
The hard nut to crack for Israeli political leaders is the fact the the Palis population of Y&S and Gaza constitute Israels 2nd or 3rd largest trading partner but more important they are consumers of Israels low tech industrial output giving that sector a significant boost in profitability and viability. For Israel this sector is more important than our High-Teck output in that these low Teck industries provides most of the jobs in Israel the High teck industries are when successful very profitable they employ comparatively few Israelis.
He wants Arabs to have more training and jobs, to win them over, he thinks. He should invest in a program to help them emigrate and resettle abroad instead. Stop giving them inducements to stay.