Going to work: Six months have passed since the new recruitment law was enacted, and data published today reveal a threefold increase in the number of Haredim who have contacted the Economic Center's employment centers.
According to the data presented at the Perry Committee, and published in Walla, in the first half of 2013, 734 Haredi men applied to the Ministry of Economy's employment centers, while in the first half of 2014 the number doubled to 2,135.
A breakdown by age shows that about half of the applicants are young people aged 18-27, the age group on which the Perry Committee placed the main emphasis.
The employment centers are intended for Haredim who wish to integrate into the labor market, and they provide assistance, counseling, and workshops for integration into the economy.
Economy Minister Naftali Bennett said in response to Walla: "These are dramatic figures for the Haredi sector, but more so for the State of Israel. Simply put, they are about lowering unemployment in the economy and adding excellent working hands to the economy. Of course, as far as the Haredi sector is concerned, this is another step towards integration into Israeli society. It is an excellent sector that is in all of our interests to be able to contribute while preserving its unique identity.".
Bennett added: "It has been proven that through dialogue and ongoing contacts with the leaders of the Haredi sector, significant achievements are achieved. The path of dialogue and agreements with the Haredi, who are our brothers, ultimately benefits everyone.".
He said, "We have no interest in educating and fighting, but rather in working together. This is the basis for this great success, which is the result of hard work by all the professional elements in the Ministry of Economy who are investing enormous resources in the issue.".
Bennett reiterated his words that he is not against yeshiva students, as they seek to portray it, and declared: "I will never be a partner in any humiliation or slander of the Haredim. The world of Torah is important to me, and so is the state, and there is no contradiction.".
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