The new Knesset lobby for equal opportunity for chareidim convened on Wednesday, 6 Adar-II. The lobby was initiated by MK (Machane Tzioni) Prof. Emanuel Trajtenberg and Kulanu faction leader Roi Folkman along with MKs from the chareidi parties of course. The lobby was established with the goal of focusing on the public debate involving bringing chareidim into the workplace.

The first session addressed the discrimination against chareidim pertaining to salaries based on data released by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). The report stated that while more chareidim are entering the workforce, they are still underpaid as compared to non-chareidim in the same job positions.

Both Trajtenberg and Folkman are initiating a bill that would encourage diversity in employment and provide grants and incentives to hire diverse populations in the same workplace, in all aspects of the firm.

Trajtenberg explained there were skeptics but they managed to launch the lobby by finding the common ground that unites all the participants. He added that while the government has taken steps, the non-religious community, which he is a part of, must take a look inside and take a major step forward. He feels the common denominator is much wider today, and minor changes in the labor market today would allow continuation of the process that began.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)