04 January 2017 — Four Filipino welders won a financial settlement of about NIS 20,000 (USD 5,250) each from an Israeli construction company, after a successful negotiation mediated by the Philippine Embassy and Kav LaOVed (Worker’s Hotline), an Israeli non-profit organization that provides assistance to migrant laborers.

The welders, who held Foreign Expert Visas (Welding Specialists), were hired directly by the Israeli company and started working in January 2016.

Six months into their jobs, the welders informed the Philippine Embassy's labor office (POLO) about the company’s contract violations such as substantial salary deductions, assignment to non-welding jobs, and extension of work hours without overtime pay.

Labor Attaché Rodolfo Gabasan and Consul Bryan Jess Baguio met with officials of the company to resolve the issues raised by the welders.

POLO sought the assistance of Kav LaOved, which provided a lawyer to handle the case and negotiate the settlement of the welders' unclaimed salaries and benefits.

OWWA and the Federation of Filipino Communities in Israel (FFCI) provided assistance and support to the welders as the case progressed. END