PH Embassy Tel Aviv Welcomes First Batch of Filipino Hotel Workers to Israel
One of the 61 newly-arrived Filipino hotel workers in Israel pose for a selfie with Philippine Ambassador to Israel Macairog S. Alberto (blue suit) and Labor Attaché Rodolfo G. Gabasan. (Tel Aviv PE photo)
TEL AVIV 06 June 2022 – Philippine Ambassador to Israel Macairog S. Alberto welcomed 61 Filipino hotel workers who arrived in the Holy Land on 02 June 2022. The workers, comprising the first batch of an initial 500 hotel workers, will be deployed to hotels in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Caesarea, and Tiberias as well as resorts and spas near the Dead Sea.
Ambassador Alberto encouraged the new arrivals to not only do their best in their jobs but to also enjoy their work. While noting that they are in Israel to help their families back home, the Ambassador also underscored that the Embassy is also here to assist them. Labor Attaché Rodolfo G. Gabasan and Vice Consul Patricia D. Narajos (Assistance to Nationals Section Head) likewise apprised them of the Embassy’s services for workers and briefed them on common work-related issues encountered by Filipinos in Israel. Embassy personnel provided them with brochures containing key information and important contact numbers.
The arrival of the hotel workers fulfills the bilateral labor agreement signed during the visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to Israel in 2018, which facilitates the hiring of Filipinos for the Israeli hospitality sector. Thanks to the joint efforts of the Embassy, the Department of Labor and Employment, Israeli government agencies, and partners within the Israeli tourism and hotel sectors, the agreement’s implementation pushed through after a long delay caused by the pandemic.
Under the said agreement, Filipino hotel workers are protected from abusive deployment agencies and enjoy benefits such as health insurance, pension savings, and competitive salaries.
The hotel sector is the second labor market, following caregiving, opened by Israel to Filipinos. At present, Filipinos and Jordanians are the only foreigners allowed in Israel’s hotel workforce.
The Embassy continues to initiate discussions with relevant Philippine and Israeli partners in order to facilitate the entry of Filipino workers into other areas of the Israeli hotel workforce. These include professionals for mid-level management positions as well as concierge and front desk sections, culinary graduates for kitchen and bar services, and possible on-the-job training arrangements for Filipino students. Additionally, the Embassy also sees potential opportunities for Filipino workers in the Israeli aerospace and medical sectors. END
For more information, visit https://www.telavivpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassy.org.il, https://www.facebook.com/PHinIsrael/, or https://twitter.com/PHinIsrael