A live-broadcast of the lottery to select Nepali auxiliary workers in the caregiver sector in Israel, has concluded successfully.
The event was held on Thursday-August 29, 2024 at the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) Office in Jerusalem, Israel, with full transparency and the participation of key officials, said the press release of the Embassy of the State of Israel in Kathmandu.
A total of 2,200 candidates, comprising 60% females and 40% males, were selected through the live-broadcast lottery process ensuring the transparency and fairness of the selection to work in Israel as an auxiliary worker in the presence of the Director of Immigration in State of Israel Mr. Moshe Nakash that was joined by the Israeli Ambassador to Nepal H.E. Hanan Goder Goldberger, embassy officials, representatives of Government of Nepal’s concerned Ministry as well as the media personnel.
Now the selected candidates will undergo the screening of medical check-ups and only those who are physically fit will go to Israel to work in the home caregiving sector and agriculture sector in batches, starting in September 2024, the release reads.
This event marks a significant step in the ongoing cooperation between Nepal and Israel. Both the parties are committed to maintaining equity throughout the process and anticipate that the near future agreements will be established through the existing dialogue mechanism between the two countries.
According to Israel’s regulations, the monthly salary for these positions is set at 5,880 Shekels, which is approximately Nepali Rs. 210,000.
Regarding the work hours, as ruled by the National Labor Court of Israel on July 7, 2016, every caregiver is entitled to 25 continuous hours of work per week, which includes a rest day according to their religion or nationality. The maximum legal workweek in Israel is 42 hours, which comes to 182 hours per month.
For employees working a five-day schedule, the daily maximum is 8.6 hours whereas for a six-day schedule, the daily maximum is 8 hours, with a shorter workday on Friday.
It is estimated that currently around 8,000 Nepalis are working as caregivers or farm workers in Israel that has been branded as the most lucrative job market for Nepali women workers.
Besides the matching of the age, height, weight English language proficiency is a must and also have never been previously worked in Israel are the most relevant criteria.
Nepal and Israel signed an “Agreement on the Temporary Employment of Nepal Workers in the State of Israel’s Specific Labor Market” on 30 September 2020.
Besides Israel, Nepal has also signed bilateral labor agreements with many countries including Bahrain, Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Qatar, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
However, Nepalese citizens can enter 178 countries in the world with an individual work permit but institutional permit allows entering 111 more countries.
It is to recall here that at the time neighboring countries like India, China and others had not recognized the State of Israel, Nepal recognized the State of Israel as an independent country. And established the diplomatic relation between Nepal and Israel on June 1, 1960. Since then, the bilateral ties between Nepal and Israel have been cordial.
Having ties with every country has a specific role and importance. But with the bilateral relationships of Nepal with Israel, Nepal has been benefitting wider areas of opportunities in agriculture, science and technology, tourism and foreign employment. Also, many Nepalese people of various professions have been trained in Israel.
Thus, Israel being one of the best friendly countries, it is a must for Nepal to go ahead in the international forums adopting a careful, safeguard and balanced stance nuancing Israel.
