Histadrut, Israel’s trade union federation, has sent a two-man delegation to South Africa to establish permanent links with Black trade unionists there. According to The Jerusalem Post, the mission has the behind-the scenes blessings of the Israel government, despite ties with the apartheid regime in Pretoria.
The Foreign Ministry has provided part of the delegates’ expenses, the Post said. The Histadrut men are to meet leaders of the new Black Trades Union Federation and the Congress of South Africa Trades Unions, including Cyril Ramaphosa, secretary of the powerful National Miners Union.
The objective of the Israelis is reported to be to enlist a group of Black trade unionists to attend a labor studies course at Histadrut’s Afro-Asian Institute here. That project will be financed by Histadrut and the California-based Center for Foreign Policy Options, headed by State Senator Tom Hayden. The Center is sponsoring the delegation’s trip to South Africa.
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