The countrywide strike of Israel’s diamond industry which produces the nation’s leading export item, entered its tenth day today with no prospects for an early solution. Pinhas Sapir, Minister of Commerce and Industry, said however, that he hoped to intervene personally in the walkout which paralyzed the industry, to prevent any loss in foreign currency. Mr. Sapir said he would not support any increase in the export premium paid by the Government to diamond producers, which the latter are demanding to cover any wage increases.
Histadrut, the Israel Federation of Labor, began looking for alternative jobs for the 5,000 striking workers, whose walkout has paralyzed one of Israel’s largest export industries. Several hundred diamond workers were reported today to have found temporary employment. The strike began in four factories after a demand for a six percent wage hike. In response to the walkout, the manufacturers decided to close all diamond polishing factories. Smaller producers decided to join in the shutdown.
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