Histadrut Vetoes Importation of Foreign Workers for Housing Construction

Histadrut has vetoed a suggestion that construction workers be “imported” from Yugoslavia or Sweden to help alleviate Israel’s housing shortage. The proposal was stimulated by speculation that the recent hike in construction costs stemmed from a labor shortage in the industry. It was believed by some that bringing in foreign workers would both speed up construction and reduce its costs. But Histadrut officials stated yesterday that It is unlikely that the move would lower construction costs on the more urgent projects, such as housing for new immigrants.

Officials said the shortage of manpower could be solved by more efficient coordination between the various parties engaged in construction programs and by the formation of a national construction policy. This would Include the establishment of a scale of priorities to determine essential and non-essential construction. Histadrut said. The labor organization suggested that a construction authority be set up to coordinate these projects.