You’d never think of hiring or firing workers based on their ethnicity. But in one Middle Eastern country, it’s a different story.
It’s not unusual for workers to strike to make their absence from their jobs felt by the general public. We just went through that in the U.S. with the Hollywood writers’ strike. It cost us several months of new TV programs.
Likewise, foreign workers in Asian restaurants in Israel recently staged a one-day egg-roll strike, refusing to serve the popular side dish. Reason: The Israeli government is making it more difficult for these restaurants to employ cooks from Asia.
The government is gradually reducing the number of work permits for Asian cooks, until it reaches zero next year, to create more jobs for Israelis.
Restaurants can still employ cooks from Asia next year, but they’ll have to pay twice the average national salary to employ them as “expert chefs.”
The Asian restaurants are also planning days without sushi and noodles, according to wire service reports.
An attorney with Israel’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor said, “Everyone can make Chinese food. It’s not impossible to learn.”
We guess, as they say, the proof will be in the Kung Pao Chicken.
