Fifty Percent of Employes in Reservoir Works to Be Jews

Following several meetings at which Major Campbell, the District Commissioner; Mr. Jacobs, Administrative Officer; Dr. Arlosoroff, of the Jewish Agency Executive, and representatives of the Jerusalem Jewish Workers’ Council and the Romema reservoir building contractors were present to determine the share of Jewish laborers in the construction of the reservoir, the contractors offered to employ Jewish laborers on the concrete-mixing and pouring and skilled works and to accept the return of Jewish workmen who had been on strike in protest against the paucity of their numbers. Both parties have signed a protocol, which Mr. Jacobs signed as a witness.

Over half of the laborers employed will be Jews.

The news that an agreement had been reached spread rapidly among the Jewish labor community and was received with great satisfaction. In an Arabic announcement to the Arab laborers on the work, the Jerusalem Workers’ Council points out that it was demanding a just share for Jews in Municipal works in view of the fact that the Jewish taxpayers of Jerusalem constitute the major contributors to Municipal revenues, and that they did not wish to encroach upon the just rights of others. The General Jewish Labor Federation seeks co-operation between Arab and Jewish workmen and is interested in improving conditions among all sections of workers, the statement says.