J'lem Municipality employs more minorities than other mixed cities

Arabs, Druse comprise 26% of city workers, compared to 12% in Haifa and 3% in Tel Aviv.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
kikar safra 224 88 aj (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
kikar safra 224 88 aj
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
The Jerusalem Municipality employs the highest percentage of minorities of any city in the country with a mixed population, according to a study presented to a Knesset investigative committee on minorities in the public sector on Monday. The data shows that 1,934 members of minority groups (Arabs, Druse and Circassians) make up 26 percent of City Hall employees. Tel Aviv-Jaffa, in comparison, employs only 206 minority group members, or 3% of its employees. In Haifa, 12% of municipal employees are from minority groups. The high percentage of minorities among the municipality employees in Jerusalem is not coincidental, but part of a policy of affirmative action adopted by Mayor Uri Lupolianski, a statement by the Jerusalem Municipality said. Lupolianski's policy is aimed at helping east Jerusalem residents become equal citizens and share in contributing to the capital, the statement said. "The Jerusalem Municipality sees employing minorities as an important aspect of its policy, with the aim of involving this population in the city's activities and supplying efficient and appropriate service to minorities living in Jerusalem," said Haim Gabay, head of human resources in the municipality.