Discrimination still plagues local job market, study finds

More than 80 percent of employers admitted to discriminating against women who were mothers.

By RUTH EGLASH
pregnant woman 311 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [illustrative])
pregnant woman 311
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [illustrative])
Discrimination against minority groups, as well as due to age or personal status, is still strong in the local job market, a study conducted by the Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry revealed Tuesday.
Published to coincide with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission conference that took place in Tel Aviv, the study showed that more than 80 percent of employers admitted to discriminating against women who were mothers. The same number said that job seekers over the age of 45 were seriously disadvantaged.
Even though it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of a person’s personal status, age, religious or ethnic identity, 70% of employers also admitted that discrimination exists against the Israeli Arab population and immigrants from Ethiopia.
In his speech at the conference, recently appointed Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Shalom Simhon said that encouraging diversity and tackling racism in the workplace was a central tool in encouraging economic growth.
“As minister of this office and of the Ministry for Minority Affairs, I believe that advancing the opportunities for equality is a central and important factor in encouraging economic growth,” he said.
“I see great importance in creating a market where you can see representation and integration of all segments of the population, including in as many different ranks and jobs as possible.”