The Jerusalem Post

Rivlin calls for greater integratio­n of Arabs into mainstream labor market

But president employs just two Arabs out of 120 workers at his residence

- • By GREER FAY CASHMAN

Like most of his predecesso­rs in office, President Reuven Rivlin has since the day of his inaugurati­on called for greater integratio­n of the Arab sector into the mainstream workforce.

He did so again on Sunday at Globes’ annual Israel Business Conference when he urged that not only Arabs but haredim join the workforce in order to narrow the income gaps and to reduce inequality in all sectors of the population.

To strengthen his argument, Rivlin quoted from the Gini index which measures income distributi­on, and said that gaps had narrowed somewhat over the past year because more haredi men and more Arab women had joined the workforce.

He suggested that the continued removal of obstacles to their employment would result in integratio­n in far greater numbers in all sectors of industry, thereby contributi­ng to the economy.

Rivlin insisted that this was a vital step that must be taken, and challenged the leaders of the economy to take it immediatel­y.

Leaving aside for a moment considerat­ions of social justice and equal opportunit­y, if such a measure is not undertaken, Rivlin explained, it will hamper economic growth, because there will be fewer people to buy the goods and services that the leaders of Israel’s economy produce.

Over the past 18 months, the President’s Office together with prominent Israeli companies initiated a collective impact venture in the Arab sector which has resulted in positive change, but not yet on a sufficient­ly large scale.

Rivlin’s predecesso­r Shimon Peres advocated similar measures, including integratin­g Arabs into hi-tech industries.

In February 2011, Peres formed a coalition with the nation’s top hi-tech companies aimed at integratin­g more Arabs and haredim into diverse ventures.

Rivlin has enthusiast­ically taken this a step further, and will continue to do so, he said.

Of the 120 members of staff on the payroll at the President’s Residence, only two are Arabs.

 ??  ?? PRESIDENT REUVEN RIVLIN speaks at the ‘Globes’ annual Israel Business Conference in Tel Aviv yesterday. (Mark Neyman/GPO)
PRESIDENT REUVEN RIVLIN speaks at the ‘Globes’ annual Israel Business Conference in Tel Aviv yesterday. (Mark Neyman/GPO)

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