Survey: Number of migrant laborers on rise

The number of foreign workers in Israel is approaching figures recorded in 2002, when the Immigration Police was established and deportations increased. The rise in numbers is primarily a result of fewer deportations and more work permits issued for caregivers and agricultural workers, according to a survey published yesterday by the Industry, Trade and Employment Ministry's planning and research administration.

The survey notes that in 2007, some 200,000 foreign workers lived in Israel, 45 percent of them without work permits; in 2008 the figures continued to rise.

In 2001, a record 243,000 foreign workers lived in Israel and close to 60 percent of them were here illegally. In 2002, their numbers dropped to 226,000 and continued to drop to 178,000 in 2005. Since then, the numbers have climbed steadily, although the figure of 45 percent of foreign workers being "illegals" was recorded three years in a row. In 2007, 4,000 laborers without work permits were deported, the same number deported a decade ago. Almost a quarter of those deported were women, who were employed without permits in domestic work. Filipina women constituted the largest group of deportees.

Although the number of deportations in 2007 was 12 percent higher than it was in 2006, the emerging trend is clearly one of lessening numbers of deportations compared to the peaks recorded in 2003 and 2004 when 21,000 people and 17,000 respectively were deported. "After the peak of enforcement, there appears to be considerable weakening," wrote Industry, Trade and Employment Ministry researcher, Roni Bar-Tzuri.

The survey indicated that the decline in the number of foreign workers registered between 2002-2005 had a substantial impact on unemployment among Israelis with low-level education.