The Organization of Jewish Labor in Agriculture in Palestine before 1948 (Nakba), British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume II - Page 762. Chapter XVII: Labour And Wages: Section 6: Labor Organizations:

CHAPTER XVII.

The organization of Jewish labour in agriculture.

55. From the trade union standpoint, the majority of Jewish agricultural workers are organized in the Agricultural Workers Union affiliated to the Histadruth, The number of wage earners, however, is relatively small and fluctuates. Most Jewish agricultural workers live in the settlements whose types and population are described in section 7 of chapter IX. The small holders' settlement normally consists of a community of workers' families, each with its own plot, but who may collectively cultivate certain crops and run various economic services. Marketing, dairying, bread-baking and ice manufacture, for example, are usually cooperatively managed and may, on occasion, employ wage-labour. The marketing institutions of the Histadruth. are utilised to the full.

56. The communal settlements are the most important feature of Jewish agricultural life. The settlements fall into four groups, all except one or two of the smallest and miscellaneous groups being federated loosely in "national" organizations, retaining, however, almost complete individual autonomy. The three principal groups fall within the framework of the Histadruth. The classes of communal settlement are as follows :-

(a) Hakibbutz Homeuhad . This group comprises the largest settlements, aiming at absorbing the maximum numbers of persons economically practicable. A few settlements exceed 1,000 in membership. Many settlements run subsidiary industrial enterprises, on occasion bearing little relation to agriculture. Production includes preserves, agricultural implements, packing-cases, textiles, scientific instruments etc. f(ibb1'tz is a generic term usually applied to all classes of communal settlements.

(b) Hever Hakoutzot. This type includes the oldest forms of collective settlement. Membership is restricted with a view to preserving the intimate character of an essentially communal life. Production is almost exclusively agricultural, any workshops being for the supply only of services to the settlement. Membership seldom exceeds 200-300 and' may be substantially less.

(c) Settlements of Hashomer Hatzair. Settlements organized by this movement have a more definite political colour. Their members form the backbone of a strong minority party within the Histadruth.. There is no definite limit set to the size of the settlement but few have more than 300 members.

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