Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., April 14, 2008 Nisan 9, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:16 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

New system expected to help protect Thai workers from exploitation By Ruth Sinai Tags: human rights, migrant workers  New regulations regarding the employment of Thai agricultural workers will be put in place in the coming weeks, nearly three years after a cabinet decision on the matter. According to the new regulations, which are expected to greatly reduce exploitation by agents and employers, 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 NIS 3,135. From this sum, they will transfer $250 to the IOM to select and process the workers in Thailand. According to Kav La'Oved representatives, Thai workers they interviewed paid up to $8,800 to intermediaries in 2007; approximately 65 percent of the money went to Israeli agencies. Some agencies are said to have kicked back $1,000-$1,500 per worker to farmer employers. Advertisement The Industry, Trade and Employment Ministry said on its Web site that the new arrangement would prevent excessive commissions and provide "fair and transparent hiring services." 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, which 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. Kav La'Oved, which has been for years been pushing for such arrangements between Israel and international or foreign organizations, said it welcomed implementation of the plan. Kav La'Oved also said that every year agents and employers stole a total of NIS 1 billion from individuals who legally entered the country to work. According to the recommendations submitted last week by a committee headed by the deputy governor of the Bank of Israel, Prof. Zvi Eckstein, agreements with other countries would be required to bring foreign workers to Israel beginning in June 2008. The government of Israel is not a signatory to the agreement between the Thai government and the IOM, although it will oversee its implementation. At present there is no oversight of agents' fees, which have risen precipitously over the past two years. Consequently, all the money workers earn for the first year or two goes to paying off loans they took to pay agents. They are thus unable to make demands on their employers for fear they will be let go. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Meeting Carter Noam Shalit: The fact that Carter isn't pro-Israel may be beneficial. Family pressure Shin Bet admits using relatives to pressure jailed Palestinians.   1.   Thai labor is so ingrained it even appears in Israeli art 15:17  |  Mike Darnell 13/04/08

Read & React Israel concerned Iran arming Hezbollah by sea via Beirut port Responses: 165 Gideon Levy: Israelis have no right to fight occupation of Tibet Responses: 156 Noam Shalit: That Carter isn't pro-Israel may be helpful Responses: 155 Iranian, Lebanese officials to skip Doha Forum over Livni's participation Responses: 77 More Headlines 18:44 Iranian, Lebanese officials to skip Doha Forum over Livni's participation 21:49 Netanyahu: Israel's government has no leadership or direction 22:57 Noam Shalit: The fact that Carter isn't pro-Israel may be beneficial 21:09 Shin Bet admits using relatives to pressure jailed Palestinians 23:37 7 hurt as IAF hits Gaza home of militant behind Nahal Oz attack 18:52 Holocaust memorial train enters Berlin, despite row with railway 01:52 Bar-On: The economy will withstand the world economic crisis 22:13 PA official: Olmert won't commit to Cairo proposal for Gaza truce 22:40 56 MKs sign petition calling to raze home of Mercaz Harav gunman 19:39 Palestinian governor of Nablus attacked on visit to Balata camp Previous Editions Select Day 13 apr 11 apr 10 apr 09 apr 08 apr 07 apr 06 apr 04 apr 03 apr 02 apr 01 apr 31 mar

Special Offers Advertisement Learn Hebrew online with Israel's best teachers Sign up for a trial lesson today NEW! Dan Boutique Jerusalem Hotel Hip Dan Hotel in Jerusalem. Attractive Introductory Rates Pardes Institute Summer Sessions Study Jewish texts and issues in Jerusalem, Co-ed, All Levels Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved