Histadrut Pledges Support for Immigrants on Aliyah Day
Translated & summarized from Davar by baba
On Aliyah Day, Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David pledged support for immigrants, emphasizing the organization's role in their integration and needs. Other officials, including Alex Miller and Ofir Elkayal, criticized the state's insufficient efforts in integrating skilled immigrants into the workforce and called for government action. They highlighted bureaucratic hurdles and the need for better employment programs. The Ministry of Labor and Nativ also called for dedicated government focus and inter-ministerial coordination for immigrant absorption.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David vowed to support all immigrants on Aliyah Day, emphasizing their integration needs.
- Alex Miller criticized the underutilization of skilled immigrants and called for state intervention in employment.
- Ofir Elkayal stated the state is not doing enough to help immigrants find suitable employment.
- Officials called for an inter-ministerial committee to remove bureaucratic barriers for immigrants.
- The Ministry of Labor stressed the need for a dedicated government decision on immigrant focus.
- Nativ's Gennady Polishchuk advocated for structural changes in immigrant absorption systems.
On Aliyah Day, Arnon Bar-David, Chairman of the Histadrut (General Organization of Workers in Israel), stated that immigrants, both new and veteran, feel the organization is with them. He emphasized the need to see and address the struggles of new immigrants, highlighting the Histadrut's role in connecting all "tribes of Israel" and meeting their needs. Bar-David noted that the Histadrut is expected to reach one million members in the next two years, with immigrants playing a significant role.
Bar-David also commented on the upcoming Knesset elections, contrasting the collaborative environment within the Histadrut, where all parties work together, with the fragmented political landscape. He expressed hope for a good and different government to be elected.
Alex Miller, Chairman of the Histadrut's 'Oved HaOleh' Department, criticized the waste of highly educated immigrants due to a lack of organized integration into the workforce. He called for state intervention, arguing that relying on foreign workers instead of skilled immigrants is not Zionism, especially with the impending retirement of immigrants from the 1990s.
Miller urged the next government to establish an inter-ministerial committee to remove bureaucratic barriers and address immigrants' needs. Ofir Elkayal, Chairman of the State Employees' Union, recalled the early difficulties faced by immigrants and praised the Histadrut's Hebrew language programs in workplaces. He stated that while the immigration from the former Soviet Union significantly benefited Israel economically and demographically, the number of employed immigrants, particularly in civil service, is not satisfactory, and the state is not doing enough.
David Shaulov from the Ministry of Labor stressed the need for a dedicated government decision to focus on immigrants, who will continue to arrive regardless of the government in power. Gennady Polishchuk from Nativ called for structural and conceptual changes in the absorption system, advocating for an inter-ministerial steering committee to streamline the process.
Mentioned
