— Israel’s unemployment rate now stands at 5.4 percent of the work force, with 72,000 men and women out of work. Aharon Harel, chairman of Histadrut, said yesterday this was an increase of nearly 70 percent over the 36,000 figure at the end of 1979. About 60 percent of women workers were without jobs, he said.
But while 72,000 persons are out of work, only 36,000 are registered with labor exchanges as seeking employment. Others are between jobs or living on savings while they seek work privately.
Another 20,000 people employed in the defense establishment are expected to lose their jobs under budget cuts. They will include 4,000 civilian employees of the army, 3,000 employed directly in military industries and about 5,500 regular army personnel. Others are employed by the Israel Aircraft Industries and other military-associated industries, but their dismissal or continued employment depends on export orders, including the Kfir fighter aircraft now being examined by the Mexican Defense Minister presently visiting Israel.
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