The government on Sunday approved a plan securing employment for 15 Ethiopian immigrants with academic degrees within the civil service.

The decision was part of implementing a law drawn up by MK Michael Eitan (Likud) advocating affirmative action for Israel's Ethiopian community, estimated by some to be number about 100,000.

NIS 3 million was allocated to fund the 15 yet to be defined positions that will be offered to Israelis of Ethiopian descent in various governmental offices.

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The Civil Service Commission plans to offer Israelis of Ethiopian descent a broad range of positions, not necessarily dealing with their community. The new employees are expected to work for the foreign and finance ministries, among others.

Every governmental office to hire an Ethiopian immigrant will receive funding to hire another in order to reach a target of employing 30 Israelis of Ethiopian descent by 2007.