As the streets of Jerusalem continue to reflect the unacceptably low level of sanitation services, the dispute between Deputy Mayor Yitzchak Pindrus and Mayor Nir Barkat over sanitation services seems to be locked in a stalemate. Pindrus hold the city’s sanitation portfolio.

Some posit the lack of cooperation from the mayor has more to do with the city elections next year than budgetary concerns as Pindrus has been seeking a budget to add 50 sanitation employees as stage one towards improving the situation, with the deputy mayor pointing out new sanitation workers have not been hired for at least three years.

Further complicating the situation is the fact that amid talk the city may be seeking to privatize sanitation services, the Histadrut national labor federation last week signaled it will fight any such move. In the meantime, the sanitation in the city is lacking.

City officials reject accusations that the mayor’s unwillingness to hire additional personnel is a politically motivated one, explaining the city is leaning towards privatization, a move the experts explain will result in improved services and cost savings for the city.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)