ETHNIC LABOR-MARKETS, GENDER, AND SOCIOECONOMIC INEQUALITY - A STUDY OF ARABS IN THE ISRAELI LABOR-FORCE

The research examines the way in which the economic structure of the A rab labor market in Israel, coupled with gender-linked occupational se gregation affects gender differences in socioeconomic attainment. The analysis is based on the 1983 Israeli Census of Population. The concep t of ethnic labor market is discussed in a comparative perspective, sh ifting the focus to public sector employment which is central to the A rab labor market in Israel. The analyses led to a twofold conclusion: first, the Arab labor market in Israel operates as a protected labor m arket, and second, it interacts with gender in the determination of so cioeconomic outcomes. In the absence of competition minority workers a re able to achieve in the ethnic labor market high status occupational positions that are typically denied them in the wider society. The oc cupational advantages are especially pronounced among Arab women. For men, employment in the ethnic labor market increases occupational stat us but provides lower earnings than employment outside.