Eli Groner, who serves as Bureau Chief in the Prime Minister’s Office, on Monday morning 9 Teves spoke with Kol Chai Radio, interviewed by Mordechai Lavi. Mr. Groner, who is a shomer Shabbat Jew himself, explained the cabinet has made the decision and they are working on integrating chareidim into the workplace, including civil service position.

Groner explained that he receives many requests from chareidim who explain that while they are trying to enter the workplace, they are not successful in doing so. “We plan to place chareidim in key civil service positions” he added.

Groner explained that to date, the problem is that a chareidi candidate who has the skills, knowledge and abilities for a certain post may lack an official certificate to document his education. However, today this will change and such an individual will be hired for civil service posts. Groner explains the plan includes a goal of appointing 60 chareidim to civil service posts annually in the coming years.

Lavi:

So let me be clear. If there are two equally qualified candidates, the chareidi will get the post because of the affirmative action plan.

Groner:

Exactly, we are making a genuine effort to integrate chareidim into the workplace including the public sector

Lavi:

How does one determine who is chareidi?

Groner:

I cannot give you exact criteria at present but it would be one who lives in a chareidi area and was educated in the chareidi system.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)