Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting at his office in Jerusalem on the issue of attracting foreign workers.
On behalf of the Prime Minister, intensive work was carried out by the forum of director generals of ministries under the leadership of the director general of the ministry of the head of government, Yossi Shelley, with the aim of ensuring a significant increase in the number of foreign workers in Israel, reducing the cost of living, as well as a significant reduction in bureaucracy and friction between it and the business sector, improving control and provision of employment of foreign workers and protection of their rights.
The Prime Minister ordered that a decision be submitted for government approval next week that will determine the number of foreign workers in Israel and create an adjustment mechanism in the event of rising unemployment among Israelis. The government will authorize the forum of general directors to distribute the quota among various sectors of the economy in accordance with current needs.
A significant reduction in duties and fees for obtaining permits for attracting and employing foreign workers in construction, agriculture, industry, etc. is planned. Resources will be directed to strengthening the supervision system and solving the problems of foreign workers, which will also help reduce the regulatory burden on employers.
With funding from the Chief Minister’s Ministry, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Construction, an agreement was reached for the arrival of more than 6,000 workers from India in April and May. This is the largest number of foreign construction workers to fly to Israel on the “air train”, thanks to subsidized charter flights.