By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israel is to implement new regulations regarding the employment of Thai agricultural workers in the coming weeks to reduce the exploitation by agents and employers, local daily Ha’aretz reported on Sunday.
Ha’aretz said, citing the new regulations, that manpower agencies and employers will be allowed to bring in workers only through the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which is affiliated with the United Nations.
Israeli agencies will have to sign an agreement with the IOM’s Thailand office and may charge no more than 3,135 shekels (about 871 U.S. dollars), out of which they will transfer 250 dollars to the IOM to select and process the workers in Thailand, the report said.
Israeli Industry, Trade and Employment Ministry said on its Website that the new arrangement would prevent excessive commissions and provide “fair and transparent hiring services.”
The representatives of Kav La’Oved (Line for Worker) said that Thai workers paid up to 8,800 dollars to intermediaries in 2007 and about 65 percent of the money went to Israeli agencies. Some agencies are said to have kicked back 1,000-1,500 dollars per worker to farmer employers.
Kav La’Oved also said that every year agents and employers stole a total of 1 billion shekels from individuals who legally entered the country to work.
After the new plan goes into effect, Thai workers seeking jobs in Israel will first approach the Thai Labor Ministry in Bangkok, which will refer them to the IOM. Then the organization will classify them according to Israeli agents’ criteria. The agents will meet the workers on their arrival and assist them in getting to their jobs and changing employers if necessary.